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Distillation Problem 4: Fig. 1: Flow Sheet For Distillation Column

The document describes a distillation column that is separating a mixture of n-hexane and n-octane. It provides the feed composition, operating conditions, and specifications for the partial reboiler, tray, and condenser. The problem asks to calculate the bottoms composition (xB) based on this information. The solution sets up material balances and uses the equilibrium relationship between vapor and liquid compositions, given the relative volatility, to solve for the vapor and liquid compositions at each stage. This allows calculating the bottoms composition (xB) as 0.119045.

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373 views2 pages

Distillation Problem 4: Fig. 1: Flow Sheet For Distillation Column

The document describes a distillation column that is separating a mixture of n-hexane and n-octane. It provides the feed composition, operating conditions, and specifications for the partial reboiler, tray, and condenser. The problem asks to calculate the bottoms composition (xB) based on this information. The solution sets up material balances and uses the equilibrium relationship between vapor and liquid compositions, given the relative volatility, to solve for the vapor and liquid compositions at each stage. This allows calculating the bottoms composition (xB) as 0.119045.

Uploaded by

shan0214
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distillation Problem 4

One thousand kilomoles per hour of a feed containing 30 mol % n - hexane and 70 mol % n octane is to be distilled in a column
consisting of a partial reboiler, one equilibrium tray and a partial condenser, all operating at 1
atm. The feed, a bubble - point
liquid, is fed to the reboiler, from which a liquid bottoms product is
continuously withdrawn. Bubble - point reflux is returned from the partial condenser to the
plate. The vapor distillate, in equilibrium
with the reflux contains 80 mol % hexane, and the reflux ratio, L/D, is 2. Assume that the
partial reboiler, plate, and partial
condenser each function as equilibrium stages. The relative volatility is 5
with hexane being the light key. Calculate the bottoms composition. Assume equimolar
overflow. A schematic of the process is
shown in Fig. 1 below. Calculate the bottoms composition xB
Fig.1:FlowSheetfordistillationcolumn

Solution

We are given the relative volatility for the binary mixture; thus the equilibrium relation for the
mixture is
y= (1)
aABx
1+ xHaAB- 1L
,aAB= 5
Solving for x we get
x= (2)
y
y+ aABH1- yL
,aAB= 5
Since we have a partial condenser the vapor stream D must be in equilibrium with the liquid
stream L leaving the condenser.
Hence the compositions xR and yD must satisfy the equilbrium relationship. Thus
xR= (3)
yD
yD+ 5H1- yDL
=
0.8
0.8+ 5H1- 0.8L
= 0.444444
Now let us write a species mass balance over the condenser to determine y1
y1V= yDD+ xRL(4)
Solving for y1 gives
y1= yD(5)
D
V
+ xR
L
v
In the problem statement we are told that L/D=2, and from a overall balnce over the condeser
we have
V= L+ D (6)
V
L
= 1+
D
L
= 1+
1
2
=

3
2
Thus
(7)
D
V
=
D
L
L
V
=
1
2

2
3
=
1
3
Hence
y1= 0.8(8)
1
3
+ 0.4444
2
3
= 0.562933
Now since x1 and y1 must be in equilibrium we can determine x1 from teh equilibrium
relationship
x1= (9)
y1
y1+ 5H1- y1L
=
0.562932
0.562932+ 5H1- 0.562932L
= 0.204831
Now a species balance over the equilbrium tray 1 and the condenser gives
yB= (10)
D
V
yD+
L
V
x1= 0.8
1
3
+ 0.204831
2
3
= 0.403221
Finally we use the equilibrium relation to determine xB
xB= (11)
yB
yB+ 5H1- yBL
=
0.403221
0.403221+ 5H1- 0.403221L
= 0.119045
2 DistProb4Soln.nb

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