Sample Problem #1:

A liquid feed of 100 mol/hr at the boiling point, which has a composition of n-butane (xA = 0.40), n-
pentane (xB = 0.25), n-hexane (xC = 0.20), and n-heptane (xD = 0.15), is fed to a distillation tower at
405.3 kPa and is to be fractionated so that 90% of the n-pentane (B) is recovered in the distillate and
90% of the n-hexane (C) in the bottoms. Calculate the following.

a. Moles per hour and composition of distillate and bottoms

b. Top temperature (dew point) of distillate and boiling point of bottoms
c. Minimum stages for total reflux and distribution of other components in the distillate and bottoms.

Given:
total
condenser

D
90 n% C6H6
100 kmol/h R == 4.52
satd liq 101.32 Kpa
F
50 n% C6H6

B
10 n% C6H6
partial
reboiler
Required: D, B, n, Rm, nm
Solution:

Plot equilibrium data on McCabe-Thiele diagram

Benzene-Toluene System

0.8

0.6
y

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

Plot xD, xF, and xD on diagonal (Note: xD is a point on the upper operating line, x F a point on the feed
line, and xB a point on the lower operating line)

Benzene-Toluene System

0.8

0.6
y

0.4

0.2

xB = 0.1 xF = 0.5 xD = 0.9

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

xB = 0.1 xF = 0.5 xD = 0.9

Plot rectifying operating line

Equation of upper operating line:

R x
y n +1 = xn + D
R +1 R +1

xD 0.9
y-intercept = = = 0.163
R + 1 4.52 + 1

Benzene-Toluene System

1
rectifying
0.8 operating line

0.6
y

0.4

0.2
y-intercept = 0.163
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x
Plot feed line

Since feed is saturated liquid (liquid at the boiling point), quality q = 1 and feed line is vertical

Benzene-Toluene System

0.8
feed line

0.6
y

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

Plot stripping operating line

Note: The lower operating line will also intersect at the intersection of feed line and upper operating
line.

Benzene-Toluene System

0.8
stripping
operating line
0.6
y

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x
Step off stages

Benzene-Toluene System

1
1
0.8 2

3
0.6
4
y

0.4
5

0.2 6

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

N = 5.9 = theoretical trays + reboiler = n + 1

∴ n = 4.9 theoretical trays

To get D and B, set up material balances

• Total balance
F=D+B

• More volatile component balance

xFF = xDD + xBB
0.5(100) = 0.9D + 0.1B

• Solving these two equations

D = 50 kmols/h
and B = 50 kmols/h
To determine Nmin, step off stages using diagonal as overall operating line

At total reflux, R = ∞ and y-intercept of the upper operating line = 0; ∴ overall operating line coincides
with the diagonal

Benzene-Toluene System

0.8

0.6
y

0.4

0.2

Nmin = 4.9
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

To determine Rmin, locate pinch point

Benzene-Toluene System

1
pinch
0.8 point

0.6
y-int for Rm = 0.495
y

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x

xD
y-int of rectifying line =
R +1
 0.90
0.495 = , ∴ Rm = 0.82
R m +1

Answers:

D = 50 kmols/h and B = 50 kmols/h

n = 4.9 theoretical trays
nmin = 3.9
Rm = 0.82