Advance Mass Transfer

The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Condenser Given data

L Mixture
Benzene & p-Xylene
Distillate
Relative Volatility ≅ 5
Feed = 100 mole / hr
Binary
Feed Distillation Total condensate
The composition of benzene
in each stream
𝑧𝐵 = 0.5
𝑥𝐷 = 0.9
𝑥𝐵 = 0.18
50% of the feed is liquid
Reboiler

Bottoms
The Solution
i. Distillate and Bottom Flow Rate
𝐹 =𝐵+𝐷 → 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝐵 =𝐹−𝐷 → 1
𝑧𝐵 ∗ 𝐹 = (𝑥𝐵 ∗ 𝐵) + (𝑥𝐷 ∗ 𝐷) → 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑒𝑛𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Substitute equation 1 in Benzene M.B
𝑧𝐵 ∗ 𝐹 = 𝑥𝐵 ∗ (𝐹 − 𝐷) + 𝑥𝐷 ∗ 𝐷
0.5 ∗ 100 = 0.18 ∗ (100 − 𝐷) + 0.9𝐷
50 = 18 − 0.18𝐷 + 0.9𝐷
50 − 18 = (0.9 − 0.18)𝐷
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
32 = 0.72𝐷 → 𝐷 = 44.4444
ℎ𝑟
Return to equation 1
𝐵 =𝐹−𝐷
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐵 = 100 − 44.4444 → 𝐵 = 55.5556
ℎ𝑟
ii. q value

VF + =V

Feed
Stage
Feed VF L
LF

LF + L =

As given in the data half of the feed is liquid and the other half is vapor which mean it’s
partially vaporized and in such case the q value will be
𝐿𝐹
𝑞= where LF is the liquid flow rate in the feed
𝐹
1
In this problem LF = feed
2
(1⁄2) ∗ 𝐹 1
𝑞= → 𝑞=
𝐹 2
iii. Slope and Intercept of the q-Line
Recall q line equation
.
𝑞 𝑍𝐵
𝑦=( )𝑥 −
𝑞−1 𝑞−1
𝑞 0.5
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = →
𝑞−1 0.5 − 1 Tan - Tan +
∴ 𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = −1
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = tan(𝜃) = −1 Tan + Tan -
∴ 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (−1) = −45𝑜
𝑍𝐵 0.5
The intercept is − → −
𝑞−1 0.5 − 1
The intercept is = 1
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

iv. Draw The q-Line and Determent the Intersection with Equilibrium Curve

0.9

0.8
(0.31,0.69)

0.7

0.6

-45o
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

Figure 1 q-line and its intersection with equilibrium line

Direct from the graph it can be read as (0.31, 0.69)
Or the point can be determined by solving both q-line and equilibrium equations with each
other because this point is the solution for both equations
Equilibrium eq
q-line eq 𝑞 𝑧𝐵 𝛼∗𝑥
𝑦=( )𝑥 − & 𝑦=
𝑞−1 𝑞−1 (1 + (𝛼 − 1) ∗ 𝑥)

Substituting the value of q, ZB and α to get

0.5 0.5 5𝑥
𝑦= 𝑥− & 𝑦=
0.5 − 1 0.5 − 1 1 + 𝑥(5 − 1)
5𝑥
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 1 & 𝑦=
1 + 4𝑥
5𝑥
= 1−𝑥 → 5𝑥 = (1 − 𝑥) ∗ (1 + 4𝑥)
1 + 4𝑥
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

5𝑥 = 1 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 − 4𝑥 2 → 5𝑥 = −4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1
4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 0 → 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1 = 0
4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 a polynomial of the second order solved by quadratic formula

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−2 ± √22 − (4 ∗ 4 ∗ −1) −2 ± √4 + 16
𝑥= → 𝑥=
2∗4 8
−2 ± √20 −2 ± 4.4721
𝑥= →
8 8
∴ both roots are 𝑥1 = 0.3090 & 𝑥2 = −0.8090
So the root 0.3090 it is the important here because it’s lay between 0 – 1 (The McCabe-Thiele)
Substitute into (q-line or equilibrium) equations to get the value of y
5 ∗ 0.309
𝑦= → 𝑦 = 0.6909
1 + 4 ∗ 0.309
7

equilibrium line 5

3
-0.8090, 1.8090
q-line equilibrium line
0.3090, 0.6909

-1 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

-1
q-line

-3

-5

Figure 2 Graphical solution of (q-line & equilibrium) equations

 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

v. Determent the Minimum Reflux Ratio

Minimum reflux ratio is the case where the intersection between the q-line and rectifying line
pass throw the intersection between the q-line and equilibrium … in fact this point is the same
one calculated in the previous section.
Recall rectifying line equation
𝑅 𝑥𝐷
𝑦= 𝑥+
𝑅+1 𝑅+1
The intersection point should be (0.309, 0.691) … substituting in the above equation
𝑅 0.9
0.691 = 0.309 +
𝑅+1 𝑅+1
0.309𝑅 + 0.9
0.691 = → 0.691(𝑅 + 1) = 0.309𝑅 + 0.9
𝑅+1
0.691𝑅 + 0.691 = 0.309𝑅 + 0.9 → 0.691𝑅 − 0.309𝑅 = 0.9 − 0.691
0.3819𝑅 = 0.209 → 𝑅 = 0.5472
A graphical solution
Take (XD, XD) as a point lay in the rectifying line Trend to pass through (0.309, 0.691) and then
to intersection with y axis which its value equal to intercept of the rectifying line
1

0.9
Rectifing
section line 0.9, 0.9
0.8

0.7
0,58

0.6

-45o
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
Figure 3 Rectifying line at the Rmin case
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Now
𝑥𝐷
0.58 =
𝑅+1
0.58(𝑅 + 1) = 0.9
0.58𝑅 + 0.5817 = 0.9
0.58𝑅 = 0.9 − 0.58
0.58𝑅 = 0.32 → 𝑅 = 0.55
The graphical solution give an error ≅ 0.51%
vi. With Reflux Ratio R = 0.88 What Are the Slop, Intercept of Rectifying Section, Liquid
and Vapor Flow Rate
Recall rectifying section equation
𝑅 𝑥𝐷 0.88 0.9
𝑦= 𝑥+ → 𝑦= 𝑥+
𝑅+1 𝑅+1 0.88 + 1 0.88 + 1
0.88 0.9
𝑦= 𝑥+ → 𝑦 = 0.4681𝑥 + 0.4787
1.88 1.88
22 45
The slop will be 0.4681 or & The intercept is 0.4787 or
47 94
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6 Rectifying line

y = 0.4681 x + 0.4787
0.5 -45o

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
Figure 4 Show the Rectifying section line in the Mc-Cabe Thiele
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

The liquid L and vapor V flow rate

using 𝑅 = 0.88
𝐿
V where R =
𝐷
From the material balance in the first
Condenser step in this problem
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐷 = 44.4444
ℎ𝑟
𝐿 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
L D 0.88 =
44.4444
→ 𝐿 = 39.111
ℎ𝑟
Material balance over the condenser
𝑉 = 𝐿 + 𝐷 → 𝑉 = 39.111 + 44.4444
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝑉 = 83.5554
ℎ𝑟
vii. The Slop, Intercept and Boil Up Ratio for Stripping Section
The slop of stripping section can be calculated from two point in the line. The first point will
be (XB, XB) and the other point will be the intersection between q-line and rectifying line which
is lay on the stripping section line too
So (XB , XB ) as given in the problem = (0.18, 0.18)
The intersection point between q-line and rectifying line with R = 0.88 can be calculated by
solving both equation together
𝑅 𝑋𝐷 𝑞 𝑍𝐵
𝑦= 𝑥+ & 𝑦= 𝑥−
𝑅+1 𝑅+1 𝑞−1 𝑞−1
Substituting the value of q, ZB, XD and R = 0.88 to get
𝑦 = 0.468𝑥 + 0.4787 & 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 1
0.468𝑥 + 0.4787 = 1 − 𝑥
0.468𝑥 + 𝑥 = 1 − 0.4787
1.468𝑥 = 0.5213 → 𝑥 = 0.3551
Now substitute into (q-line or Rectifying) equations to get the value of y
𝑦 = −0.3551 + 1 → 𝑦 = 0.6449
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Now it’s time to calculate the slop using two point (0.18, 0.18) & (0.3551, 0.6449)

(0.18, 0.18) & (0.3551, 0.6449)

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 0.6449 − 0.18
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = → = 2.6556
Tan - Tan + 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 0.3551 − 0.18
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 2.6556
Tan + Tan -
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = tan(𝜃)
Stripping 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (2.6556) = 69.36𝑜
line

After calculating the slope of the stripping section line and with knowing that point (XB, XB)
laying on it too it’s easy to calculate the intercept
Recall the equation of stripping section
𝑉𝐵 + 1 𝑥𝐵
𝑦= 𝑥−
𝑉𝐵 𝑉𝐵
Substituting the value of (x, y) = (0.18,0.18)
𝑉𝐵 + 1
slop ( ) = 2.6556
𝑉𝐵
To get the intercept
𝑥𝐵
0.18 = 2.6556 ∗ 0.18 −
𝑉𝐵
𝑥𝐵
= 0.18 − 0.478
𝑉𝐵
𝑥𝐵
The Intercept (− ) = −0.298
𝑉𝐵
The boil up ration will be calculated from the intercept value
𝑥𝐵
− = −0.298
𝑉𝐵
0.298 𝑉𝐵 = 𝑥𝐵
0.298 𝑉𝐵 = 0.18 → 𝑉𝐵 = 0.604
𝑉̅
Boil up ratio from the equation should have the same value of Which will be check later in
𝐵
the material balance of the stripping section
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5 -45o

0.4

0.3
Stripping line
0.2 y = 2.6556 x - 0.298

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4
Figure 5 Show the stripping section line in the Mc-Cabe Thiele
viii. The Liquid and Vapor Flow Rate in the Stripping Section
From the material balance over the feed stage and by knowing that the feed is partial
evaporated (fig 6) with composition of half liquid and half vapor we can start the calculation
of the liquid and vapor in the stripping section
𝑉 = 𝑉̅ + 𝑉𝐹
𝐿̅ = 𝐿 + 𝐿𝐹
mole
From the problem data the feed is 100
hr
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝑉𝐹 = ∗ 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑 → 0.5 ∗ 100 = 50
2 ℎ𝑟
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐿𝐹 = ∗ 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑 → 0.5 ∗ 100 = 50
2 ℎ𝑟
mole
From the material balance over the condenser V = 83.5554
hr
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝑉̅ = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝐹 → 83.5554 − 50 = 33.5554 𝑉̅ = 33.5554
ℎ𝑟 ℎ𝑟
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Condenser
Rectifying section

L D
VF + =V

F VF LF L
V

F
Stripping section

LF + L =

Reboiler

Figure 6 Show the liquid & vapor flow in both section in the column
mole
From the reflux ratio date → L = 39.111
hr
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐿̅ = 𝐿 + 𝐿𝐹 → 39.111 + 50 = 89.111 𝐿̅ = 89.111
ℎ𝑟 ℎ𝑟
𝑉̅ 33.5554
A check for the boil up ratio can be done now 𝑉𝐵 = → = 0.604 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
𝐵 55.5556
ix. Theoretical Number of Stage and Optimum Feed Location
This point will be solved in graphical and with equations
 Graphical solution based in Mc-Cabe Thiele where the number of stage will be counter
from the triangular shape between both rectifying and stripping line with the
equilibrium
 Equation solution based in the same phenomena of Mc-Cabe Thiele flowing the next
steps (fig 7)
• (XD, XD) or point 1 satisfied the rectifying line equation
• Point 2 have the same y coordinate (XD) of point 1 with different X (X1) where X1 can
be calculated from the equilibrium curve equation because point 2 satisfied it
• Point 3 have the same x coordinate of point 2 with different y (Y2) where Y2 will be
calculated from the rectifying line because it’s lay in it
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

• When you start from a point and then going from the above steps to change its
coordinate that mean one stage is completed

Equilibrium curve

(X1, XD)

Point 2
Point 1

(XD, XD)
Point 3 Rectifying line

(X1, Y2)
Figure 7 First stage in Mc-Cabe Thiele
Graphic solution is shown below
1
Equilibrium curve
0.9
1
0.8
2 Line 45
0.7
3
q-line
0.6 Rectifying section
line
0.5 -45o
4

0.4

0.3
Stripping section
0.2 line

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Figure 8 Number of stage by Mc-Cabe

𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 4 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Equation solution
Rearrange the equilibrium equation to be
𝑦 𝛼𝑥
𝑥= & 𝑦=
𝛼 + (1 − 𝛼)𝑦 1 + (𝛼 − 1)𝑥
Recall rectifying and stripping equation
𝑅 𝑥𝐷 𝑥𝐵 𝑉𝐵
𝑦= 𝑥+ & 𝑥 = (𝑦 + )∗
1+𝑅 1+𝑅 𝑉𝐵 𝑉𝐵 + 1𝐵

Start with the point (XD, XD) = (0.9, 0.9)

Now calculate liquid composition 𝑥 which is in equilibrium with vapor composition y = 0.9
0.9
𝑥=
5 + (1 − 5)0.9
𝑥 = 0.6429
From the M. B of the rectifying section the vapor composition with the liquid composition 𝑥 =
0.6507 is
0.88 0.99
𝑦= 0.6429 +
1 + 0.88 1 + 0.88
𝑦 = 0.7796
⇒ New coordinate (0.6429, 0.7796) stage one complete
Repeated the procedure for the next stages
Point (0.6429, 0.7796)
Liquid composition 𝑥 which is in equilibrium with vapor composition y = 0.7796
0.7796
𝑥=
5 + (1 − 5)0.7796
𝑥 = 0.4144
Vapor composition from the M. B of rectifying section with the liquid composition 𝑥 = 0.4144
0.88 0.99
𝑦= 0.4144 +
1 + 0.88 1 + 0.88
𝑦 = 0.6727
⇒ New coordinate (0.4144, 0.6727) stage two complete
Point (0.4144, 0.6727)
Liquid composition 𝑥 which is in equilibrium with vapor composition y = 0.6727
 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

0.6727
𝑥=
5 + (1 − 5)0.6727

𝑥 = 0.2913
Stop here and remember this is a half stage
Because this x coordinate is smaller than x coordinate 0.309 of the intersection between q-
line and equilibrium which mean stop working with rectifying equation and go to the
stripping equation

Start with the point (XB, XB) = (0.18, 0.18)

Now calculate vapor composition 𝑦 which is in equilibrium with liquid composition x = 0.18
5 ∗ 0.18
𝑦=
1 + (5 − 1)0.18

𝑦 = 0.5232
From the M. B of the stripping section the liquid composition with the vapor composition 𝑦 =
0.5232 is
0.18 0.604
𝑥 = (0.5232 + )∗
0.604 0.604 + 1

𝑥 = 0.3092
⇒ New coordinate (0.3092, 0.5232) stage three complete
Point (0.3092,0.5232)
Vapor composition 𝑦 which is in equilibrium with liquid composition 𝑥 = 0.3092
5 ∗ 0.3092
𝑦=
1 + (5 − 1)0.3092

𝑦 = 0.6912
Stop here this is the other half stage
Because this y coordinate is bigger than y coordinate 0.6909 of the intersection between q-
line and equilibrium which mean this is the other half of the feed stage where the first half
was between the rectifying section and equilibrium and this half between stripping and
equilibrium so the feed stage is complete and the total number is complete too

⇒ New coordinate (0.2913, 0.6912) stage four complete

 Advance Mass Transfer
The Answer of Binary Distillation Problem #set1 5 – 6 – 2019

Table 1 Show the composition and number of stage

Number Operating Line Equilibrium Curve
of x y x y
Stages 0.9 0.9 0.6429 0.9
1 0.6429 0.7796 0.4144 0.7796
2 0.4144 0.6727 0.2913 0.6727
3 0.2913 0.6912 0.3093 0.6912
4 0.3093 0.5233 0.1800 0.5233
0.1800 0.1800

x. The Number of Stages If the Feed Introduce Low the Optimum Location
1
Equilibrium curve
0.9
1
0.8
2
line 45
0.7
3
0.6 q-line Rectifying section
4 line
0.5 -45o

0.4

5 Stripping section
0.3 line

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
Figure 9 Number of stages when the feed stage is one below the optimum position
Notes that number 5 in the graph is not a complete stage in fact it’s about 0.25 of the stage 5
The number of stage when the fed introduce one stage below is 4.25
Notes that with α = 4.85 the stage calculation will be more accuracy specially in the feed
stage