Scribd
Upload
31 views27 pages

5 - Problems On Distillation

The document presents a series of problems related to distillation processes in chemical engineering, focusing on the separation of various mixtures using different methods and conditions. Key problems include calculating the number of ideal trays, material balances, and the application of the McCabe-Thiele method for determining theoretical plates. Solutions are provided for each problem, detailing the necessary calculations and assumptions made.

Uploaded by

pk9714286643
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views27 pages

5 - Problems On Distillation

The document presents a series of problems related to distillation processes in chemical engineering, focusing on the separation of various mixtures using different methods and conditions. Key problems include calculating the number of ideal trays, material balances, and the application of the McCabe-Thiele method for determining theoretical plates. Solutions are provided for each problem, detailing the necessary calculations and assumptions made.

Uploaded by

pk9714286643
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 27

(Prof.) D.K.

MEHTA
ASSISANT PROFFESSOR,
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
DEPARTEMENT, L.E.COLLEGE-MORBI

1
TOPIC:- Problems on Distillation
SUBJECT:-Mass Transfer Operation-II
SUBJECT CODE:-3160501
Problem-1
• A feed mixture having 45 mole% benzene(A)
and 55 mole% Toluene(B) is to be separated
into a top product containing 96 mole%
benzene and a bottom product 95 mole%
toluene. Feed is 50% vapor and the reflux ratio
is 1.5 times minimum. Determine the number
of ideal trays required and the location of feed
tray. Average relative volatility is 2.8.
Problem-2
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) number of ideal plates and
location of the feed plate if the feed is at its bubble
point.
Equilibrium data for problem-2
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
Solution of problem-2
• Data:
Feed rate = 10,000 kg/hr
ZF = 0.4
XD = 0.97
XW = 0.02
R=3
• Calculations:
(i) Moles of overhead product:
Average molecular weight of feed = 0.4 x 32 + 0.6 x 18 = 23.6
Molal flow rate of feed = 10000/23.6 = 423.73 kmol/hr
Material balance equations:
F=D+W
F ZF = D XD + W XW
Where F = feed; D = distillate; W = residue
Substituting for the known quantities,
423.73 = D + W
423.73 x 0.4 = 0.97 D + 0.02 W
0.97 D - 0.02 D = 169.492 - 8.4746
D = 169.492 kmol/hr
Overhead product obtained = 169.492 kmol/hr
(ii) Number of ideal plates:
Slope of 'q - line' = μ
R = L/D = 3
Solution of problem-2
Solution of problem-2
• Number of theoretical plates are estimated
from the McCabe-Thiele graphical
Construction method and found to be 7.

• The location of feed plate is 5th plate from


the top.
Problem-3
• A fractionation column has been installed to
distillate 5000 kg/hr of a mixture 50%
methanol & 50% water (by weight). The
overhead and bottom products are found to
contain 95% methanol and 1% methanol
respectively. Carry out material balances.
Molecular weight of methanol:32
Molecular weight of water :18
Solution of problem-3
Solution of problem-3
Solution of problem-3
Problem-4 (FUG method)
• A distillation column is to separate 4750 mol/h of feed
composed of 37% n-butane, 32% iso-pentane, 21%
n-pentane and 10% n-hexane. The column operates at
an average pressure of 2 atm a and will produce a
distillate product containing 95% n-butane and 5%
iso-pentane. The bottom product is allowed to contain
no more than 570 mol/h of n-butane. Feed is 25% (by
mole) vapor. Assume ideal vapor-liquid equilibrium. All
compositions are mole%. Average relative volatility for
n-butane, iso-pentane, n-pentane and n-hexane is
2.567,1, 0.762 and 0.236 respectively. If actual reflux
ratio is 3, then determine number of theoretical stages
required for desired separation.
Solution of problem-4
Solution of problem-4
Solution of problem-4
Solution of problem-4
Problem-5
• A continuous distillation column is used to separate a
feed mixture at its boiling point, containing 24 mole%
acetone and rest methanol into a distillate product
containing 77 mole% acetone and residue product
containing 5 mole% acetone. A reflux ratio of twice
the minimum is to be used. The overall plate
efficiency is 60%. Determine number of plates
required for the separation.
x 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

y 0.102 0.186 0.322 0.428 0.513 0.586 0.656 0.725 0.82 0.9
Solution of problem-5
Solution of problem-5
Problem-6
• A mixture of benzene and toluene having 40%
benzene is to be separated at 200 determine
number of stages if its operated at total
bottom product with 4% of it. Column is
operated at total reflux condition during start
up period. Determine number of stages if its
operated at total reflux condition. Calculate
the same using Fenske equation. The average
volatility is 0.5
Solution of problem-6
Solution of problem-6

You might also like