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Distillation Exercises - Set 1

The document contains 7 chemistry problems related to distillation processes. Problem 1 asks to calculate mass flow rates and percentage loss of alcohol from a distillation column processing an 8.6% alcohol solution. Problem 2 provides vapor pressure data for methanol and ethanol and asks for vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations and plots. Problem 3 provides component equilibrium data and asks for compositions of top and bottom products from flash distillation of a hexane-octane mixture.

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Fred Vo
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232 views3 pages

Distillation Exercises - Set 1

The document contains 7 chemistry problems related to distillation processes. Problem 1 asks to calculate mass flow rates and percentage loss of alcohol from a distillation column processing an 8.6% alcohol solution. Problem 2 provides vapor pressure data for methanol and ethanol and asks for vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations and plots. Problem 3 provides component equilibrium data and asks for compositions of top and bottom products from flash distillation of a hexane-octane mixture.

Uploaded by

Fred Vo
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 PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem 1: Process Calculation

A solution of ethyl alcohol containing 8.6% alcohol by weight is fed at the rate of 5000 kg/hr
to a continuous fractionating column operating at atmospheric pressure. The distillate which
is the desired product contains 95.4% alcohol by weight and the residue from the bottom of
the column contains 0.1% alcohol by weight. Calculate the following:
i. the mass flow rates of the distillate and residue in kg/hr, and
ii. the percentage loss of alcohol.

Problem 2: Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Data

Methanol and ethanol form an ideal solution. Compute vapor-liquid equilibrium data and
prepare plots of x-y and T-x-y at 1 atm pressure. The following pure component vapor
pressure data is given:

200 400 760 1520


Vapor pressure, mm Hg

Temperature oC for ethanol 48.4 62.5 78.4 97.5

Temperature oC for methanol 34.8 49.9 64.7 84

What value of relative volatility will you recommend for this system?
Kindly plot the x-y, and T-x-y diagrams.
Problem 3: Flash Distillation

A feed of 50 mole % hexane and 50 mole % octane is fed into a pipe still through a pressure
reducing valve and then into a flash disengaging chamber. The vapor and liquid leaving the
chamber are assumed to be in equilibrium. If the fraction of the feed converted to the
vapor is 0.5, find the compositions of the top and bottom products. The following table
gives the equilibrium data for this system.

Mole fractions of hexane in liquid x 1.00 0.69 0.40 0.192 0.045 0.00

Mole fractions of hexane in vapor y 1.00 0.932 0.78 0.538 0.1775 0.00

Problem 4: Differential Distillation

A liquid feed consisting of 1200 gmoles of mixture containing 30% naphthalene and 70% dipropylene
glycol is differentially distilled at 100 mm Hg pressure and final distillate contains 55% of the feed
solution. The VLE data are:

x 8.4 11.6 28.0 50.6 68.7 80.6 88

y 22.3 41.1 62.9 74.8 80.2 84.4 88

a) Determine the amount of distillate.


b) Determine the concentration of naphthalene in residue and distillate.
Problem 5: Number of plates at Total Reflux

A mixture of benzene and toluene containing 40 mole % of benzene is to be separated to give


a product of 90 mole % of benzene at the top and bottom product with not more than 10 mole
% of benzene. Using an average value of 2.4 for the volatility of benzene relative to toluene,
calculate the number of theoretical plates required at total reflux. Also calculate the minimum
reflux ratio, if the feed is liquid and at its boiling point.

Problem 6: McCabe-Thiele Method

A continuous fractionating column is to be designed for separating 10,000 kg per hour of a liquid
mixture containing 40 mole percent methanol and 60 mole percent water into an overhead product
containing 97 mole percent methanol and a bottom product having 98 mole percent water. A mole
reflux ratio of 3 is used. Calculate:

(i) moles of overhead product obtained per hour and


(ii) (ii) number of ideal plates and location of the feed plate if the feed is at its bubble point.

Equilibrium data:

x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

y 0.417 0.579 0.669 0.729 0.78 0.825 0.871 0.915 0.959

Where x = mole fraction of methanol in liquid

And y = mole fraction of methanol in vapor

Problem 7: Rayleigh Equation


100 moles of Benzene (A) and Toluene mixture containing 50% (mole) of Benzene is
subjected to a differential distillation at atmospheric pressure till the composition of benzene
in the residue is 33%. Calculate the total moles of the mixture distilled. Average relative
volatility may be assumed as 2.16.

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