DISTILLATION

CP432: UNIT OPERATIONS II

Prof. S.V. Manyele

Department of Chemical and Mining Engineering,
UDSM
 Part A: Review of Thermodynamic
Equilibrium in Multi-Phase Systems
• When a vapor Introduction
and its liquid are in
equilibrium, their compositions will be
different.
• A mixture of liquids will have a mixed vapor
phase at the top.
• The more volatile liquid will have more
amount of vapor than the less volatile liquid.
• To separate a liquid mixture using
distillation process, part of it is vaporized
and the resulting vapor condensed.
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 2
CP402
 Introduction…..
• Repeated partial vaporization-condensation
leads to a condensate richer in the more
volatile component.
• The process is called simply distillation,
despite of many ways the process is carried
out.
• Each time a new vapor is ready for
condensation we have a process step,
commonly called “a stage”.

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 3

CP402
 Vapor pressure

Each liquid has a characteristic vapor

pressure at a given temperature
The value depends primarily on its
volatility, a function of the intermolecular
forces.
At the given temperature, a more volatile
substance will have higher vapor pressure.
Equilibrium vapor pressures is a pressure
when the rate of vaporization equals the rate
of condensation at a given temperature.
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 4
CP402
 Volatility of different compounds

Chloroform

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 5

CP402
 Equilibrium Pvap at 25C

Pvap @ 25C
Pvap
Substance
(mmHg) 600

Vapor pressure in mmHg

500
Water 24
400
Ethanol 65
300
Chloroform 215
200
Diethyl-
545 100
ether
0
Water Ethanol Chloroform Diethyl-ether

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 6

CP402
Expressing vapor and liquid concentrations at equilibrium

y A = 5 /(5 + 3 ) = 5 /8 = 0 .6 2 5

Vapor 5 m ol A y B = 1 -y A = 1 - 0 .6 2 5 = 0 .3 7 5
3 m ol B yA + yB = 1; or yA = 1 - yB

20 m ol A x A = 2 0 /(2 0 + 2 0 ) = 2 0 /4 0 = 0 .5 0 0
L iq u id 20 m ol B
x B = 1 -x A = 1 - 0 .5 0 0 = 0 .5 0 0
xA + xB = 1; or xA = 1 - xB

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 7

CP402
 Equilibrium Diagrams
{T-x-y and P-x-y}
 Given yA, yB can be determined easily. {xB = 1-xA}
 Similarly, for xA and xB. {xB = 1-xA}
 Hence experimental data is normally presented by
giving T, xA and yA only, or simply T, x and y.
 This is commonly denoted as T-x-y data.
 If A is the more volatile component, then yA > yB,
we say the vapor is richer in component A.
 Also, yA > xA for the more volatile component, A.
 The T-x-y data are presented in form of tables or
graphs of different complexity (also called
equilibrium diagrams).

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 8

CP432
 Exploring the T-x-y data
• Experimental vapor-liquid
equilibrium data for binary systems
are widely available.
• The most commonly used source is
Perry’s Chemical Engineers
Handbook.
• In some cases the separation factor,
or the relative volatility is also given

03-Dec-18 Prof. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 9

CP402
 Vapor liquid equilibrium data for
three common binary system
Water (A)-Glycerol (B) System : P = 101.3 kPa
TC yA xA A,B
100.0 1.0000 1.0000 -
101.7 0.9998 0.9534 250
104.6 0.9996 0.8846 333
109.8 0.9991 0.7731 332
122.0 0.9982 0.5610 440
128.8 0.9980 0.4742 544
140.4 0.9974 0.3622 683

03-Dec-18 Prof. S.V. Manyele Instructor 10

CP432
 yx Diagrams

In this class, we will often work with plots of

vapor phase composition vs. liquid phase
composition, y vs. x

Usually we'll include a "45 degree line" (x = y)

on the diagram for reference. These diagrams
are typically made at constant pressure, so
each point represents a different temperature.

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 11

CP402
03-Dec-18 12
 y vs x at constant pressure
1

0.8

0.6
y

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

03-Dec-18 13
 1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 14
CP402
 Temperature vs. composition at constant pressure
P
r
ess
ur
eco
ns
t
ant
3
0
0

V
a
po
ur S
at
ura
t
edvapou
r Each three entries of T-x-y
Tvs.
y
2
5
0 (
Dewpo
intl
ine
) data can be represented as
E
a horizontal line on the T-x-y
D C diagram.
2
0
0
The end points gives the
values of x on the left and y
Temperature(K)

on the right while the

vertical location of the
1
5
0 horizontal line indicates the
L
i
qui
dSa
t
ura
t
edl
iqu
i
d l
ine
Tvs
.x temperature.
(
bub
b
lep
o
int
li
ne)
1
0
0
0 0
.
2 0 .4 0 .
6 0 .
8 1
x
,y(
mol
e f
rac
t
io
nA
)

03-Dec-18 15
 Exploring the P-x-y data

1,600
P = Pa + Pb
1
2
0
o
1,200 Pa
Pressure (kPa)

D
a
t
a
P

800 Pa 6
0
Pbo

Presure(kPa)
H
e
nr
y'
s l
aw

400
Pb
0
0 0
.
005 0
.
01 0
.
015 0
.
02
0 x
,y
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

Dalton's law and Raoult's law in an ideal and real systems

03-Dec-18 16
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 17
CP402
Pressure vs. composition at constant temperature
1,600
Temperature
constant
Liquid Bubble points
x vs. P
1,200 W
Pressure (kPa)

800 C
E D

Dew ponits
400 R y vs. P

Vapour

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x, y (mole fraction A)

03-Dec-18 18
03-Dec-18 19
Effect of temperature (deg-C) on relative volatility for different mixtures
800 1.025
(c) Para-xylene (A)-Meta-xylene (B)
600 1.020

1.015
400
1.010
200
1.005
(a) Water (A)-Glycerol (B)
0 1.000
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 138 138.5 139 139.5

10
(b) Methanol (A) - Water (B)
8

0
50 60 70 80 90 100

03-Dec-18 20
 Liquid circulation in the
evaporators
• Is it possible to calculate the relative amounts
of A and B in vapor and liquid for a given
equilibrium temperature?

• The answer is yes, based on the fact that

heating or cooling a liquid vapor mixture of A
and B does not change its overall
composition.

03-Dec-18 21
Let z = overall mole fraction of A in the feed
F = total moles to be processed
V = moles vapor
L = moles liquid V
y
V, y A
F Process
z
A
L, x
L
x
03-Dec-18 22
 Important material balances

1) the total mole balance:

F = L+V

2) component balance for A:

F .z = L .x + V. y

Eliminating F we find:
L y-z CE
= =
V z-x DC
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 23
CP402
 Positive and Negative Deviation from Roults Law

1
,
600 1
,
600

1
,
200 P
1
,
200

8
0
0 P P
a
8
0
0
Presure(kPa)

P
a

4
0
0 P
b

Presure(kPa) 4
0
0

P
b
0
0 0
.
20 .40 .60 .
8 1
x
(
mol
e f
r
act
i
onA
) 0
0 0
.
2 0.40 .
60 .
8 1
x
(
mol
efr
ac
ti
onA)

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 24

CP402
 Azeotropes
An azeotrope is a system in which the
composition of the liquid and the vapor in
equilibrium with each other are the same:
y=x
At this point the dew point line and the bubble
point line meet.

03-Dec-18 25
 Minimum boiling azeotrope
1
,
6
00 4
0
0
V
a
p
ou
r
P
3
8
0
1
,
2
00 D
e
wp
o
i
ntl
i
ne

3
6
0

8
0
0
P
a
Presu(kPa)

3
4
0

Tempratue(K)
V
apou
r+
P
b
l
i
qui
d
4
0
0 B
u
b
bl
epo
i
ntl
i
ne
3
2
0

L
i
qui
d
0 3
0
0
00.
2 0.
4 0.
6 0.
81 00
.
20 .
40 .60.81
x(
mo
l
ef
ra
ct
i
onA
) x(
mo
l
ef
ra
ct
i
onA
)

03-Dec-18 26
 Maximum boiling azeotrope
1
,
6
00 4
0
0
V
a
p
ou
r

3
8
0
D
e
wp
o
i
ntl
i
ne
1
,
2
00
V
apour
+
0l
3
6 i
qui
d
8
0
0
P
Presu(kPa)

3
4
0

Tempratue(K)
P B
u
b
bl
epo
i
ntl
i
ne
4
0
0 a
3
2
0
P
b
L
i
qui
d
0 3
0
0
00.
2 0.
4 0.
6 0.
81 00
.
20 .
40 .60.81
x(
mo
l
ef
ra
ct
i
onA
) x(
mo
l
ef
ra
ct
i
onA
)

03-Dec-18 27
y vs. x plots in azeotropic systems
1 1

E
q
u
i
l
ib
r
iu
ml
i
ne E
q
u
i
l
ib
r
iu
ml
i
ne
0
.
8 0
.
8

0
.
6 0
.
6
y

y
0
.
4 0
.
4

0
.
2 0
.
2
R
ef
er
e
nc
e R
ef
er
e
nc
e
l
i
ne l
i
ne
0 0
0 0
.
2 0
.
4 0
.
6 0
.
8 1 0 0
.
2 0
.
4 0
.
6 0
.
8 1
x x

03-Dec-18 28
 Complex phase diagrams
T
e
mp
er
at
ur
eC
{ water-isobutanol at 1 atm.}
1
1
0

V
a
po
u
r
y
vs
.t
y
vs
.t L
i
qui
d-v
a
po
ur
1
0
0

L
i
qui
d-v
a
po
ur x
vs
.t
P Q
x
vs
.t
L
9
0 N L
i
qui
d
K

D
L
i
qui
d C E
2
Li
qui
ds

8
0
0 0
.
2 0
.
4 0
.
6 0
.
8 1
x
,
y =
mo
l
e f
r
act
i
ono
f
w a
t
er
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 29
CP402
 Relative Volatility and K-Factors

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 30

CP402
 System Benzene-Toluene at 1 Atmosphere

2.7

T (C) 

Relative volatility
2.6
80 2.62
90 2.44 2.5

100 2.40
2.4
110 2.39
2.3
70 90 110
Temperature (deg-C)

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 31

CP402
03-Dec-18 32
Part B: Differential and Flash Distillation

Distillation is defined as a process in which

a liquid or vapor mixture of two or more
substances is separated into its
component fractions of desired purity,
by the application and removal of heat.

NB: We have Batch and Continuous

distillation

03-Dec-18 33
Batch Columns In batch operation, the feed
to the column is introduced batch-wise.
That is, the column is charged with a 'batch'
and then the distillation process is carried
out.
When the desired task is achieved, a next batch
of feed is introduced.

03-Dec-18 34
 Differential or Batch Distillation

C
o
n
d
en
s
er

C
o
o
l
i
ngw
a
t
e
r

y P
r
od
uc
t
B
a
t
c
hSt
i
l
l
r
e
ce
i
ve
r

D
,
y
S
t
e
am L
,
x

03-Dec-18 35
Continuous Columns
In contrast, continuous columns process a continuous
feed stream.
No interruptions occur unless there is a problem with the
column or surrounding process units.
They are capable of handling high throughputs and are
the most common of the two types.

03-Dec-18 36
 Assumptions
1. Holdup of liquid and vapor in all parts of the still except the
bottom (residue) is negligible.
2. Reflux, if any, is at its bubble point.
3. The pot, or bottom of the still, constitutes one equilibrium
stage.
4. The residue is completely mixed at all times during the
progress of the distillation.
5. The system is a binary one with constant relative volatility.
6. Equilibrium stages are stages with 100% efficiency and are
numbered from the bottom to the top of the distillation
column starting with the first stage after the pot, or still
bottom. Heat loss from the column is negligible.
7. In cases where reflux is used, the liquid downflow rate (L
mol/s) does not vary from tray to tray (constant molal
overflow assumption).

03-Dec-18 37
 Flash (Equilibrium) Distillation

V
y
Heater Valve
F Flash
z Chamber

Steam
L
x
03-Dec-18 38
 Flash (Equilibrium) Distillation
V
a
po
u
rt
oco
n
de
ns
e
r
V
,
H ,
Vy
i

F
l
ueg
a
s

H
e
at
exc
h
an
ge
r

F
e
ed

H
e
at
i
ng L
i
qui
d

L
,
HL,
xi

03-Dec-18 39
 Isobaric enthalpy diagram, y vs. x
plot binary flash distillation
P
r
ess
ur
eco
ns
t
ant
H
H
v
V
s
.y
B

H C
M
A
H
v
Ls.x 
H=
MQ/
F

H
F R
0.
0 x y 1
.
0
1
.
0

P
y T
S

s
l
ope
=-L
/V
0
.
0
0.
0 xz 1
.
0

03-Dec-18 40
 Isobaric enthalpy diagram, y vs. x
plot binary flash distillation

Example:
One hundred kilogram moles per hour of a
60-mol % mixture of hexane and octane are
flashed at 1 atm to produce a vapor stream
which contains 75 mol % hexane. How
much product is produced? What must the
feed temperature be?

03-Dec-18 41
 Solution
Write mass balances around our system

(A) Component Balance:

ZF = yV + xB, or 100(0.6) = 0.75V + 0.35B

(B) Overall Balance:

F = V + B or 100 = V + B

Octane Hexane
Boiling Point (K) 399 342
Heat of vaporization (J / kg mol)
(at normal boiling point) 3.44 x 107 2.89 x 107
Liquid heat capacity (J I kg mol K) 2.57 x 105 1.89 x 105
Vapor heat capacity (J I kg mol K) 2.32 x 105 1.75 x 105

03-Dec-18 42
 Important balances for 1-stage
• Hv = 0.75(l.89 x 105(342 - 273) + 2.89 x 107 +
1.75 x 105 (369 - 342)) + 0.25(2.57 x 105 (399 -
273) + 3.44 x 107 + 2.32 x 105(369 - 399))
= 5.00 x 107 J/kg-mol
• HB = 0.35(1.89 x 105 (369 - 273)) + 0.65(2.57 x
105 (369 - 273)) = 2.24 x 107 J/kg-mol
• Substituting back into the energy balance
Equation
100HF = 62.5(5.00 x 107) + 37.5(2.24 x 107)
or HF = 3.97 x 107 J/kg-mol

03-Dec-18 43
Evaluating the temperature necessary to
produce this enthalpy in a 60-mol % mixture, we
find that the feed temperature must be 457 K.

Given an operation (feed rate, feed composition,

pressure, V/F) we should be able to:
1. Calculate the compositions of the vapor and liquid
streams.
2. Calculate the flow rates of the vapor and liquid
streams.
3. Find the drum conditions to achieve a desired
separation (given the composition of at least one
phase).
4. Determine the best separation from this simple unit.
03-Dec-18 44
 Multi stage distillation
For both batch and
flash distillation, the
separation of A and B
is limited by
equilibrium
For example,
suppose half of a 50-
50 mixture of Hexane
and Octane is
vaporized

xF = 0.5
f = D/F = 0.5
xD = 0.55
xB = 0.45
as per xy-diagram
03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 45
CP402
 Multi stage distillation

• What can we do to get a distillate at yD = 0.95?

• We vaporize a small fraction of the feed to get
distillate with high composition of A
• xF = 0.5
• f = D/F = 0
• xD = 0.58
• xB = 0.5
• as per xy-diagram
• But we do not reach yD = 0.95
• What can we do?

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 46

CP402
 Multistage distillation

One solution is
to take the
distillate
product of the
first flash and
partially
condense it

This produces a liquid phase which is leaner in the more volatile

component leaving the remaining vapor richer.
Each flash requires a condenser (HX), and we need an additional
condenser for the last flash unit
03-Dec-18 47
Representing multi stage distillation on y-x diagram

Tabulate …

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 48

CP402
 Parallel/Forward feed multi-stage distillation

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 49

CP402
 Counter-current cascade

• We recycle the bottoms of one flash into the feed of the previous flash unit
• Instead of n+1 HX, we now need only 2 HX
• Temperature of the vapor must be higher than that of the liquid
• Vapor will be richer in A as we move from left to right, that is,
y1 < y2 < y3 …. < yN
• Assuming VLE, then from Txy diagram, temperature decreases
03-Dec-18 T1 > T2 > T3 > ….> TN 50
 Multi-stage flash distillation (MSF)

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 51

CP402
 Multi-effect distillation (MED) desalination

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 52

CP402
 multi-stage vacuum membrane distillation
(MSVMD) system

03-Dec-18 53
 PART C: Continuous Distillation

Continuous distillation, also known as

fractionation, takes place in a distillation
column consisting either of distinct stages,
such as sieve trays or bubble cap trays, or in
a packed column.
Distillation in a packed column cannot be
analyzed by equilibrium stage methods,

03-Dec-18 54
 Continuous Distillation
•Also known as fractionation
• Takes place in a distillation column
consisting distinct stages, such as sieve
trays or bubble cap trays
•We will not deal with distillation in a
packed column.
•Distillation in a packed column cannot
be analyzed by equilibrium stage
methods, to be used.
 Continuous distillation ...
Used to separate mixtures of volatile
components.
It can also be used when relatively non-
volatile components are present, but these are
relatively easy to separate from the volatile
components.
 In principle, a complete separation is not
possible, but it is usually possible to separate
components to a higher degree.
3-Dec-18 56
 Achieving separation
The following are important requirements for
achieving any separation:
• A second phase be formed so that vapor
and liquid are contacted in each stage in a
column.
• Components have different volatilities so
that they will partition between the two
phases to different extents.
• The two phases can be separated by
gravity or other mechanical means.

03-Dec-18 57
 Q & A Session
How does distillation differ from
absorption and stripping?
The main difference is that the second
phase is created by thermal means
(vaporization and condensation);
not by introduction of the second
phase containing an additional
component(s) not present in the fed
mixture.

03-Dec-18 58
 Important Terminology

• Feed - liquid or vapor mixture.

• Bottoms – almost always a liquid.
• Distillate – liquid or vapor or both.
• Distillation – dripping or trickling down.
• Rectification – improve.
• Striping – produce vapor-phase from liquid
(the more volatile component enters the
vapor phase in large fraction).

03-Dec-18 59
 Sieve Trays

P
la
t
e i-
1

P
=Pi
z

P
la
t
e i

P
=Pi
+ 1

03-Dec-18 60
 T
ota
lco
nde
nse
r
3
.46MW

R
eflu
xdr
u m 1
8 p
sia

1 Re
flux Dis
tillate
6
23 lb
m o
l/h 9
9 m ol% be
nze
ne
1
8 9 d e g
-F

F eed
b u
b b
lepo
in
t 1
0
liq
uid
,55psia 1
3

6
20lb
m o
l/h 1
6
4
6 mo
l%b en
zen
e
5
4 mo
l%tolu
ene 2
5
B
io
ilu
p

7 08 lbmol/h
Partial
reb oile
2.9
4 M W
2
0.5ps
ia
B
otto
m s
S
te
am 9
8 m
ol%to
lu
ene
2
51deg
-F

03-Dec-18 61
 Operating Variables for Continuous
Distillation
Binary Mixture Average Number of operating R/Rmin
relative trays pressure
volatility (psia)
1,3-Butadiene/vinlyacetylene 1.16 130 75 1.70
Vinyl acetate/ethyl acetate 1.16 90 15 1.15
o-Xylene/m-xylene 1.17 130 15 1.12
Isopentane/n-pentane 1.30 120 30 1.20
Isobutane/n-butane 1.35 100 100 1.15
Ethylbenzene/styrene 1.38 34 1 1.71
Propylene/propane 1.40 138 280 1.06

03-Dec-18 62
 Material and Enthalpy Balances for 2-Component
Systems in a Distillation Column

NOMENCLATURE
• Vi Vapor flux leaving plate i [mole/time]
• Li Liquid flux leaving plate i [mole/time]
• xi Mole fraction of the more volatile component in the liquid leaving
plate i [-]
• yi Mole fraction of the more volatile component in the vapor leaving
plate i [-]
• F Feed rate [moles/time]
• D Distillate withdrawal rate [mole/time]
• W Bottoms withdrawal rate [mole/time]
• xD Mole fraction of the more volatile component in the distillate [-]

03-Dec-18 63
 NOMENCLATURE ……
• xW Mole fraction of the more volatile component leaving in the
reboiler [-]
• zF Mole fraction of the more volatile component in the feed [-]
• f Index of the feed plate [-]
• Hi Molar enthalpy of the vapor leaving plate i [J/kg-mole]
• hi Molar enthalpy of the liquid leaving plate i [J/kg-mole]
• HF Molar enthalpy of the feed [J/kg-mole]
• QC Rate of heat removal in condenser [J/s]
• QB Rate of heat addition in reboiler [J/s]
• Qloss Rate of heat loss to the environment [J/s]

03-Dec-18 64
 Process Performance
• In a distillation operation, a feed mixture
of two or more components is separated
into two or more products
• Products = overhead distillate and a
bottoms product.
• Modern distillation columns are of high
efficiency.
• They can produce almost pure products
from use of multistage contacting.
3-Dec-18 65
 Important Terminology
• Feed - liquid or vapor mixture
• Bottoms – almost always a liquid
• Distillate – liquid or vapor or both.
• Distillation – dripping or trickling down.
• Rectification – improvement.
• Striping – produce vapor-phase from
liquid (the more volatile component
enters the vapor phase in large fraction).
3-Dec-18 66
General arrangement of a multistage
distillation column
V C
• the portion above
the feed point is D
called the rectifying R
section F
• the portion below E
the feed point is
known as the
stripping section. B

3-Dec-18 67
 Other parts of a
Flow of fluids
distillation column
• A tower containing • the descending
bubble/floating cap liquid flows by
(valve) or sieve trays. gravity.
• A feed point. • The vapor from the
• a reboiler at the bottom reboiler travels
where a pool of liquid is upwards through the
boiled (inside or column in intimate
outside). contact with the
liquid.

3-Dec-18 68
 Design of a
sieve tray

Plate i-1

P = Pi
z

Plate i

P = Pi+1
3-Dec-18 69
 Distillation of benzene-toluene
Total condenser
3.46 MW

Reflux drum 18 psia

1 Reflux Distillate
623 lbmol/h 99 mol% benzene
189 deg-F

Feed
bubble point 10
liquid, 55 psia
13

620 lbmol/h 16
46 mol% benzene
54 mol% toluene
25
Bioilup

708 lbmol/h
Partial
reboile
2.94 MW
20.5 psia
Bottoms
Steam 98 mol% toluene
251 deg-F

3-Dec-18 70
 Flash distillation at the feed plate

• The feed is a saturated liquid at 379 kPa.

• A bubble-point calculation gives TF = 419 K.
• When this feed is flashed adiabatically to the feed tray
pressure of 133 kPa, the feed temperature drops to
360 K
• This causes 23.4 mol% of the feed to be vaporized.
• The optimal feed entry is between trays 12 and 13.
• Changing the feed composition or product
specifications, the location of the optimum feed tray
will change.

3-Dec-18 71
 The vapors are condensed at the top

• A total condenser is
used to obtain a
saturated liquid reflux Condenser
and liquid distillate at
a bubble point of 360 D, D
K at 124 kPa. y Vn Ln xD x
1
• The duty of the y
1
x1
Vn Ln
condenser is Qc = 2

3.46 MW.

3-Dec-18 72
 The vapors are condensed at the top
(a)

Liquid
distillate

Vapor
distillate
Condenser
(b)

D, D
xD x
Vapor
distillate y Vn Ln
1
1
(c)
Liquid y x1
distillate 2 Vn Ln

3-Dec-18 73
 The reboiler acts as an equil. stage
• At the bottom, a partial reboiler produces vapor
boilup and a liquid bottoms product.
• Assuming that the boilup and bottoms are at
equilibrium, the partial reboiler functions as an
additional theoretical stage.
• Because B is a saturated liquid, its temperature
(395 K) corresponding to the bubble pt. of the
bottoms at 141 kPa.
• The duty of the reboiler is QR = 2.94 MW, which is
within 15% of the condenser duty.

3-Dec-18 74
 Typical steam-heated forced circulation
reboiler for distillation towers

03-Dec-18 75
03-Dec-18 76
Typical horizontal thermosyphon reboiler

03-Dec-18 77
 Reboiler model configuration

• Total material balance across reboiler

• Volatile component balance across reboiler

03-Dec-18 78
 Feed-plate model configuration

Complex
phenomenon Lf

Vf+1
• Total material balance across feed plate
• Volatile component balance across feed plate, n = f

03-Dec-18 79
 Modeling of top section of distillation column

Condenser

D, D
xD x
y Vn Ln
1
1
y x1
2 Vn Ln

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 80

CP402
 Modeling of top section of distillation column

Condenser
• Total material
balance across
boundary A, B, C, D
• Volatile component
D, D balance across
xD x
y Vn Ln boundary A, B, C, D
1
1
y x1
2 Vn Ln

03-Dec-18 Dr. S.V. Manyele, Instructor 81

CP402
 C O N D EN S E R

D, x D
y V1 L0 xD
1
1
y x1
V2 L1

y
2

V3 L2
2
x2
Flow Streams
3
3
• Vi Vapor flux leaving plate i
Vf-1 Lf-2
x f-2 • Li Liquid flux leaving plate i
f-1
F, z F
Vf Lf-1 x f-1 • F Feed rate
f
• D Distillate withdrawal rate
yn-1 Vn-1
n-1
• W Bottoms withdrawal rate
yn Vn Ln-1 x n-1 [mole/time]
n
y xn
n+1 Vn+1 Ln
Steam
xw
W, x w

3-Dec-18 82
 Heat flux streams
C O N D EN S E R
• Hi Molar enthalpy of the vapor
y V1 L0 xD
D, x D
leaving plate i [J/kg-mole]
1
1
y
2 V2 L1 x1
2
• hi Molar enthalpy of the liquid
y
3 V3 L2 x2
3
leaving plate i [J/kg-mole]
x f-2
• HF Molar enthalpy of the feed
Vf-1 Lf-2
F, z F
Vf Lf-1
f-1
x f-1
[J/kg-mole]
• QC Rate of heat removal in
f

yn-1 Vn-1
n-1
condenser [J/s]
yn Ln-1 x n-1
• QB Rate of heat addition in reboiler
Vn
n
y xn
n+1 Vn+1 Ln
Steam
xw
[J/s]
W, x w

• Qloss Rate of heat loss to the

environment [J/s]

3-Dec-18 83
 Mole fractions
CO ND ENSER
• xi Mole fraction of the more volatile
y V1 L0 xD
D, x D
component in the liquid leaving plate i
1
1
y
2 V2 L1 x1
2
• yi Mole fraction of the more volatile
y
3 V3 L2 x2
3
component in the vapor leaving plate i
[-]
x f-2
Vf-1 Lf-2
F, z F
Vf Lf-1
f-1
x f-1
• xD Mole fraction of the more volatile
f
component in the distillate [-]
yn-1 Vn-1
n-1
• xW Mole fraction of the more volatile
yn x n-1
Vn Ln-1
n component leaving in the reboiler [-]
y xn
Vn+1 Ln
• zF Mole fraction of the more volatile
n+1

Steam
xw
W, x w
component in the feed [-]

3-Dec-18 84
 Material bBalances
{2-Component Systems}
• Mass and enthalpy balances are performed using
molar basis.
• overall mole balance:
F = W+D
• more-volatile-component balance
FzF = D xD + W xW
• mole balance around a single plate
Vi + Li = Vi+1 + Li-1
• Component balance around a single plate.
Vi yi + Li xi = Vi+1 yi+1 + Li-1 xi-1
3-Dec-18 85
 Enthalpy Balances
{2-Component systems}
• Overall enthalpy balance
F HF + QB = W HW + D HD + QC + Qloss

• Enthalpy balance around the condenser

V1 H1 = QC + (L0 + D) HD
QC = V1 (H1 - HD)

• Enthalpy balance around a single plate

Li-1 hi-1 + Vi+1 Hi+1 = Li hi + Vi Hi + qloss
3-Dec-18 86
 MaCabe-Thiele Method

(1) Within both the rectifying and stripping

sections the molar flow rate of vapor and
liquid are constant, i.e. Vi = Vi+1 and Li = Li-1.
(2) Heat losses to the environment are
negligible;
(3) The vapor leaving each plate is in
equilibrium with the liquid leaving the plate.

3-Dec-18 87
 Molar balances
A total molar flux balance gives
Vn = Ln + D

A component molar flux balance on the

more volatile component yields

Vnyi = Ln xi-1 + DxD

Solving for yi we obtain
 Ln   D xD 
yi =   xi 1   
 Vn   Vn 

3-Dec-18 88
 Molar balances
Define R = Ln/D
 R   xD 
yi =   x   
 R + 1 i 1  R  1

A component molar flux balance on the

more volatile component yields

Lmxi-1 = Vmyi + WxW

Solving for yi we obtain

 Lm   Wx w 
yi =   xi 1   
 Vm   Vm 
3-Dec-18 89
 The stripping section operating line equation

 Lm   Wx w 
y =  x 
 Vm   Vm 
 R   xD 
yi =   xi 1   
 R + 1  R  1

The rectifying section operating line equation

 Ln   D xD 
y =   x 
 Vn   Vn 
 Lm   Wx w 
yi =   xi 1   
 Vm   Vm 
3-Dec-18 90
The rectifying section operating line equation

03-Dec-18 91
 The stripping section operating line equation

03-Dec-18 92
 What happens at the feed plate?

3-Dec-18 93
 What happens at the feed plate?

V = V' +
V < V' V = V' VF
L L
L
F F
F
VF

V'
V'
L' > L + F L' = L + F
L' > L + F
(a) (b) (c)

3-Dec-18 94
 What happens at the feed plate?
V = V' + V = V' +
VF VF
L
L

F F

V' V'
L' = L L' = L

(d) (e)
3-Dec-18 95
 What happens at the feed plate?
Characteristics of the q-line
Subcooled liquid
Saturated liquid (q > 1)
(q = 1) Equilibirum
curve
Liquid and vapour o
(0 < q < 1) 45 line

Saturated vapour
(q = 0)

(ZF , ZF )
D

Superheated
vapour
(q < 0)
3-Dec-18 96
 What happens at the feed plate?
q-line
V
n
=V+
m
(1
-q)F

The q-line equation is:

V Ln
n

qx zF 0.500 x 0.500
y =  = F,z  = - x + 100
.
q -1 q  1 0.500 - 1 0.500  1
F

Increase in liquid flow rate in passing feed point

q = V
m
L
m
Feed rate
f

Heat required to completely vapourize 1 mole of feed V Lm

m
q =
Latent heat of vapourization of the feed

L=L+
m n
q
F

3-Dec-18 97
 Summary of q-Line Conditions

Condition of feed Range of q Slope of q-line

Subcooled liquid q > 1 Positive (up-right

inclined)
Saturated liquid q = 1 Infinite (vertical)

Liquid + vapor 0 <q< 1 Negative (up-left

inclined)
Saturated vapor q= 0 Zero (horizontal)

Superheated q< 0 Positive (down-left

vapor inclined)
3-Dec-18 98
 Operating lines on y-x diagram

1.0 (x D, x ) 1
Rectifying section D
S
t
ri
ppi
ngse c
t
ion
operating line o
pe
rat
ing
li
ne
m m
y=
x
S
l
ope
=L/
V
mm

0
.
5

y
y

D
Slope = R/(1+R) x
(
x)
,

(
xW
,x
W
) w

Intercept = xD /(1+R)
0
I
nte
rc
ep
t=
-Wx
W/V
m

0.0 0 0
.
5 1
1.0 x
x

3-Dec-18 99
Material balance equations on y-x diagram
The operating diagram
1.0
Operating diagram )(x
,

(xD , xD
D

)
Stripping
operating line

y Rectifying
operating line
(z F,z F)
f
f

q-line

)(x
,

(xw , xw
w

)
0
0 1.0
x
3-Dec-18 100
 Determination of number of stages
1.0
y 1 (= xD )
y2 (xD ,xD)
y3
y4

y n-1 q-line

yn

y
n+1
zF
0.0 x n xn-1 x n-2 x3 x2 x1 1.0
(x w,xw)
3-Dec-18 101
 Total Reflux
Operating diagram for total reflux ratio with
minimum number of plates Total reflux means
1
that all the liquid
condensed at the top
(
x ,
x )
D D
of the column is
returned and no
product is removed,
0
.
5 i.e. the value of
y

R (= Ln/D) is infinite.

 x 1  xW 
log  D 
(
x ,
x )  1 - x D xW 
w w Nm =
0 log( avg )
0 0
.
5 1
x
3-Dec-18 102
 Minimum Reflux
Operating diagram for minimum reflux ratio

1
Slope = Rmin/(1+Rmin)
(
x ,
x )
D D
Minimum reflux is
defined as the
0
.
5
minimum amount of
(
z ,
z
f f
) reflux required to
achieve a specified
q
-
li
n e separation.

(
xw,
xw)
0
0 0
.
5 1
x

3-Dec-18 103
 Total Reflux
Operating diagram for minimum reflux with a pinch point

1
Slope = Rmin/(1+Rmin)
(
x ,
x
DD
)

0
.
5
y

(
z,zf)
f
The reflux conditions
q
-
li
n e
are governed by the
pinch point.
(
xw,
xw
)
0
0 0
.
5 1
x

3-Dec-18 104
 Optimal Reflux Ratio
Annual costs as a function of reflux ratio

s
o
lc
ta
to t
An industrial
on
i
l
og distillation column
s
o
Co
tfe
hn
i
t
agd
n
ac
must be operated
O
p
t
imu
mr
ef
l
uxr
at
i
o between the two
AnualCost

limiting conditions of
F
i
xed
ch
a
rg
es minimum reflux and
M
i
ni
m u
mr
ef
l
uxr
at
i
o total reflux.

R
e
f
lu
xR
at
i
o

3-Dec-18 105
 Number of stages as a function of
relative volatility
1000
Number of stages, N

100

10
1 10 100
Relative volatility
3-Dec-18 106
 Start
xD and xB
known or estimated

Calculate bubble-point
PD > 1.48 MPa
pressure (P D) of
ditillate at 49 deg-C Use total condener
(reset PD to 0.21 MPa
if PD < 0.21 MPa)
PD > 1.48 MPa

Calculate dew-point PD < 2.52 MPa Estimate Calculate bubble-point

pressure (PD) of bottoms temperature (TB) of
Use partial pressure (PB) bottoms at PB
ditillate at 49 deg-C
condener

PD > 2.52 MPa TB < TB,dec

or TB,crit

Choose a refrigerant
so as to operate Lower presure PB
partial condenser at appropriately
2.86 MPa

End
TB < bottoms
decomposition or
critical temperature

3-Dec-18 107