Distillation with Reflux and McCabe-Thiele Method
Separation of a volatile liquid mixture to relatively pure products is very often done in a
continuous fractionating column.
A mathematical-graphical method for determining the number of theoretical trays or stages
needed for a given separation of a binary mixture of A and B has been developed by McCabe and
Thiele.
The most important assumptions made to apply this method are:
1. The two components have equal and constant molar latent heat.
2. The column is well insulated so that heat loss is negligible.
4. The pressure is uniform throughout the column (no pressure drop).
Equations for Enriching Section
Overall material Balance
F=D+W
A total material balance
F xf = D xd + W xw
O. M. B. around the selected section:
Vn+1 = Ln + D
A M. B. for the selected section:
Vn+1 yn+1 = Ln xn + D xd constant molar over flow
Vn+1 = Vn
Ln+1=Ln
Solving for yn+1
Ln D xd
yn+1 = xn +
Vn Vn
Ln
Since reflux ratio =R = D
Vn = Ln + D
Vn = D * ( R + 1)
Then
R xd
yn+1 = xn + Top Operating Line (TOL)
R+1 R+1
Equations for Stripping Section
Total material balance on over dashed–line section
Lm = Vm+1 + W
Vm+1 = Lm – W
A total material balance:
Vm+1 ym+1 = Lm xm – W xw
Lm W xW
ym+1 = xm −
Vm Vm Bottom Operating Line(BOL)
1
0.9
0.8 (xd,xd)
0.7
0.6
0.5
Y
0.4
0.3
(xw,xw) 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
X
The Intersection of the Operating Lines
If the two operating lines intersect at a point with coordinates (xq, yq ), then from equations of
operating lines:
If Hf is the enthalpy per mole of feed, and Hv is the enthalpy of one mole of feed at its boiling
point, then the heat to be supplied to bring feed to the boiling point is F(Hv − Hf ), and the number
of moles of vapour to be condensed to provide this heat is F(Hfv − Hf )/λ, where λ is the molar
latent heat of the vapour.The reflux liquor is then:
q xf
yq = xq − q line
q−1 q−1
cpf (TBp − Tf ) + λ
q=
λ
Where
λ : latent heat of vaporization of feed.
Cpf : average heat capacity of the feed.
TBp : average boiling point of the feed.
Tf : feed temperature.
- If the feed entersw at boiling point :q=1
- If the feed eners as vapor :q= 0
-If the feed eners as cold liquid: q > 1
- If the feed eners as super heated vapor :q < 1
- If the feed enters as part liquied and other vapor then (q) is the fraction of liquied
Step 1: Plot equilibrium curve and 45 degree line.
Step 2: Plot given compositions (x f , x w , and x d )
Step 3: Draw q-line
Step 4: Draw TOL
Step 5: Draw BOL
Step 6: Step off the number of theoretical stages
M.Sc. Abdulrazzaq S. Abdullah Mass Transfer
Example 3.5: A liquid mixture of benzene-toluene is to be distilled in a fractionating tower at
101.3 kPa pressure. The feed of 100 kg mol/h is liquid and it contains 45 mol % benzene and 55
mol % toluene and enters at 327.6 K. A distillate containing 95 mol % benzene and 5 mol %
toluene and a bottoms containing 10 mol % benzene and 90 mol % toluene are to be obtained. The
reflux ratio is 4:1. The average heat capacity of the feed is 159 . kJ/kg mol.K , the boiling point of
the feed is 93°C and the average latent heat 32099 kJ/kg mol . Equilibrium data for this system are
given in table below. Calculate the kg moles per hour distillate, kg moles per hour bottoms, and
the number of theoretical trays needed.
Solution
4
For the overall material balance
F=D+W
100=D+W ……………….. (1)
A material balance
F xf=D xd+W xw
100(0.45)=D (0.95) + W (0.1) …………(2)
Substitute equation (1) in (2)
D=41.2 kgmol/h , W=58.8 kgmol/h
TOP
R xd
yn+1 = R+1 xn + = 0.8 xn + 0.19
R+1
(xd,xd)=(0.95,0.95)
xd/R+1=0.19
q-Line
32099 + 159(366.7 − 327.6)
q= = 1.195
32099
(xf,xf)=(0.45,0.45)
q/(q-1)=6.12=0.61/0.1
BOL
(xw,xw)=(0.1,0.1)
Intersection of TOL and q–line
Number of stage = 7.6 , Number of plates = 6.6 and feed is introduced on tray 5 from top.
Feed is introduced on tray 5 from top
Example 3.6: A continues fractionation column, operation at atmospheric pressure , is to be
designed to separate a mixture containing 27% CS2 and 73% CCl4 into an overhead product
containing 95% CS2 and a waste of 95% CCl4 (all mole percent). If the reflux ratio is taken as
3.16, using the data below. Determine the number of plates required in the following cases: -
1_Feed inlet at T = 290 k
2_Feed inlet at T = 336 k
3_Feed inlet partially vaporized 70% liquid and 30% vapor.
4_Feed is saturated vapor and xf = 0.5.
5_Feed inlet at T = 380 k and xf = 0.5.
Given the following data:- cpf = 225.42 kJ/kmol.k, TB.p = 336k , λ = 25900 kJ/kmol .
y% 8.23 15.55 26.6 33.2 49.5 63.4 74.7 82.9 87.8 93.1
x% 2.96 6.15 11.06 14.35 25.85 39 53.18 66.3 75.75 86.2
Solution
1.Feed inlet as subcooled liquid
q-Line
cpf (TBp − T f ) + λ 225.42 (336 − 290) + 25900
q= = = 1.4
λ 25900
q 1.4
Slop q−1 = 0.4 = 3.5 ⇒ θ = tan−1 (3.5)= 74°
1) (xf , xf) = (0.27 , 0.27)
q 0.35 ∆𝑦 xf
2) θ = 74° or Slop q−1 = 3.5 = = ∆𝑥 or y=0 ⇒ x = = 0.19
0.1 q
TOL
1) (xd , xd ) = (0.95 , 0.95)
Xd 0.95
2) = = 0.229
R+1 3.16+1
BOL
1. (xw , xw) = ( 0.05 , 0.05)
2. Intersection of TOL and q–line
Number of stage = 9.8 , Number of plates = 8.8 and feed is introduced on tray 7 from
2.The feed is at boiling point
q-Line
cpf (TB.p − Tf ) + λ λ
q= = =1
λ λ
1) (xf , xf) = (0.27 , 0.27)
q 1
2) Slop q−1 = = ∞ ( verticle)
0
Number of stage = 11.4 , Number of plates = 10.4 and feed is introduced on tray 8 from top.
3.The feed is partially vaporized (70% liquid , 30% vapor )
q-Line
cpf (TB.p − Tf ) + λ 0.7 λ
q= = = 0.7
λ λ
1) (xf , xf ) = (0.27 , 0.27)
q 0.07 ∆y
2) Slop q−1 = − 0,03 = ∆x
Number of stage = 11 , Number of plates = 10 and feed is introduced on tray 7 from top.
4.The feed is Saturated vapor
cpf (TB.p − Tf ) + λ
q= = 0 (horizontal )
λ
q-Line
1. (xf , xf) = (0.5 , 0.5)
q 0
2. Slop q−1 = =0
−1
Number of stage = 9 , Number of plates = 8 and feed is introduced on tray 6 from top.
7
5.The feed is superheated
cpf (TBp − Tf ) + 0.0 225.42 ( 336 − 380 )
q= = = −0.38
λ 25900
q-Line
q −0.38
1) (xf , xf ) = ( 0.5 , 0.5 ) , 2)Slop q−1 = = 0.27
−1.38
Number of stage = 9.4 , Number of plates = 8.4 and feed is introduced on tray 6 from top.
