Simultaneous Heat and Mass Transfer

Ch.E - 402

Muhammad Rashed Javed

 Multicomponent Distillation-
2
Introduction
 In binary distillation one tower was used to separate the two
components A and B into relatively pure components with A
in the overhead and B in the bottoms.
 However, in a multicomponent mixture of n components, n-1
fractionators will be required for separation. For example, for
a three component system of components A, B, and C,
where A is the most volatile and C the least volatile, two
columns will be needed, as shown in Figure.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Introduction
3

 The feed of A, B, and C is distilled in column 1 and A and B are

removed in the overhead and C in the bottoms. Since the
separation in this column is between B and C, the bottoms
containing C will contain a small amount of B and often a
negligible amount of A (often called trace component). The
amount of the trace component A in the bottoms can often
be neglected if the relative volatilities are reasonably large.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Introduction
4

 In column 2 the feed of A and B is distilled with A in the

distillate containing a small amount of component B and a
much smaller amount of C. The bottoms containing B will also
be contaminated with a small amount of C and A.
Alternately, column 1 could be used to remove A overhead
with B plus C being fed to column 2 for separation of B and C.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Equilibrium Data
5
 For multicomponent systems which can be considered ideal,
Raoult's law can be used to determine the composition of the
vapor in equilibrium with the liquid. For example, for a system
composed of four components, A, B, C, and D,

 In hydrocarbon systems, because of nonidealities, the

equilibrium data are often represented by

 where KA is the vapor-liquid equilibrium constant or distribution

coefficient for component A. These K values for light
hydrocarbon systems (methane to decane) have been
determined semi-empirically and each K is a function of
temperature and pressure.
Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer
 Equilibrium Data
6

 Convenient K factor charts

are available.
 For light hydrocarbon
systems K is generally
assumed not to be a
function of composition,
which is sufficiently
accurate for most
engineering calculations.
 Note that for an ideal
system, KA = PA/P, and so
on.
 As an example, data for
the hydrocarbons n-
butane, n-pentane, n-
hexane, and n-heptane
are plotted in Fig. 11.7-2 at
405.3 kPa (4.0 atm)
absolute.
Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer
 Equilibrium Data
7
 The relative volatility αi, for each individual component in a
multicomponent mixture can be defined in a manner similar to
that for a binary mixture. If component C in a mixture of A, B,
C, and D is selected as the base component,

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Boiling point or Bubble point
8
 At a specified pressure, the boiling point or bubble point of a
given multicomponent mixture must satisfy the relation σ 𝑦𝑖
=1.0. For a mixture of A. B, C, and D with C as the base
component,

 The calculation is a trial-and-error process, as follows.

 First a temperature is assumed and the values of αi are
calculated from the values of Ki at this temperature. Then the
value of KC is calculated from KC = 1.0/ σ αi 𝑥𝑖 .
 The temperature corresponding to calculated value of KC is
determined and compared to the assumed temperature.
 If the values differ, the calculated temperature is used for the
next iteration.
 After the final temperature is known, the vapor composition is
calculated from

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Dew point
9
 For the dew point calculation, which is also trial and error,

 The value of Kc is calculated from KC = σ yi / xi

 After the final temperature is known, the liquid composition is
calculated from:

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10

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Flash Distillation of Multicomponent
11
Mixture
 For flash distillation, the process flow diagram is shown in Fig.
11.3-1.
 Defining f= V/F as the fraction of the feed vaporized and (1 —
f) = L/F as the fraction of the feed remaining as liquid and
making a component i balance as in Eq. (11.3-6), the
following is obtained:

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Flash Distillation of Multicomponent
12
Mixture

 where yi is the composition of component i in the vapor, which

is in equilibrium with xi in the liquid after vaporization.

 Solving for xi and summing for all components,

 This equation is solved by trial and error by first assuming a

temperature if the fraction f vaporized has been set. When the
xi values add up to 1.0, the proper temperature has been
chosen.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Key Components in Multicomponent
13
Distillation
 In the fractionation of multicomponent mixtures, the essential
requirement is often the separation of two components.
Such components are called the key components and by
concentrating attention on these it is possible to simplify the
handling of complex mixtures.
 If a four-component mixture A–B–C–D, in which A is the most
volatile and D the least volatile, is to be separated as shown
in Table 11.3, then B is the lightest component appearing in
the bottoms and is termed the light key component. C is the
heaviest component appearing in the distillate and is called
the heavy key component. The main purpose of the
fractionation is the separation of B from C.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Key Components in Multicomponent
14
Distillation
 The components more volatile than the light key are called
light components and will be present in the bottoms in small
amounts.
 The components less volatile than the heavy key are called
heavy components and are present in the
distillate in small amounts.
 The two key components are present in significant amounts
in both the distillate and bottoms.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Total Reflux for Multicomponent
15
Distillation
Minimum Stages for Total Reflux:
 Just as in binary distillation, the minimum number of
theoretical stages or steps, N m, can be determined for
multicomponent distillation for total reflux. The Fenske
equation (11.4-23) also applies to any two components in a
multicomponent system. When applied to the heavy key H
and the light key L, it becomes:

 where xLD is mole fraction of light key in distillate, xLW is mole

fraction in bottoms, xHD mole fraction of heavy key in
distillate, and xHW is mole fraction in bottoms.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Total Reflux for Multicomponent
16
Distillation
 The average value of αL of the light key is calculated from
the aLD at the top temperature (dew point) of the tower and
αLW at the bottoms temperature.

 Note that the distillate dew-point and bottoms boiling-point

estimation is partially trial and error, since the distribution of
the other components in the distillate and bottoms is not
known and can affect these values.

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer

 Total Reflux for Multicomponent
17
Distillation
Distribution of other components:
 To determine the distribution or concentration of other
components in the distillate and the bottoms at total reflux,
Eq. (11.7-12) can be rearranged and written for any other
component i as follows:

 These concentrations of the other components determined

at total reflux can be used as approximations with finite and
minimum reflux ratios. More accurate methods for finite and
minimum reflux are available elsewhere.

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18

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 References
19
 GEANKOPLIS CHRISTIE J. Transport Processes and Separation
Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations)
 J H Harker (Author), J R Backhurst (Author), J.F. Richardson.,
Chemical Engineering Volume 2, Fifth Edition

Simultaneous Heat & Mass Transfer