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Methanol-Water Distillation Analysis

The document describes separating methanol (M) from water (W) using distillation with a feed that is subcooled to q = 1.12. The feed composition in mol% is determined using molecular weights. A McCabe-Thiele diagram is made using the vapor-liquid equilibrium data. The diagram shows that the feed stage is located at theoretical plate 17 from the top and 20 theoretical plates plus a partial reboiler are required.

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389 views4 pages

Methanol-Water Distillation Analysis

The document describes separating methanol (M) from water (W) using distillation with a feed that is subcooled to q = 1.12. The feed composition in mol% is determined using molecular weights. A McCabe-Thiele diagram is made using the vapor-liquid equilibrium data. The diagram shows that the feed stage is located at theoretical plate 17 from the top and 20 theoretical plates plus a partial reboiler are required.

Uploaded by

A.Kh.S
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Methanol (M) is to be separated from water (W) by distillation as shown in Figure.

The feed is
subcooled such that q = 1.12. Determine the feed-stage location and the number of theoretical
stages required. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data are given in Exercise 7.19.

SOLUTION:

First, determine feed composition in mol%. Using molecular weights of 32.04 for methanol and
18.02 for water,

Using the vapor-liquid equilibrium data, a y-x plot for the McCabe-Thiele method is made and
smoothed with a spreadsheet, noting that methanol is the more volatile. Therefore, x F = 0.4379,
xD = 0.99, xB = 0.01.
From Eq. (7-26), slope of q-line = q/(q - 1) = 1.12/(1.12 - 1) = 9.333. Therefore, on the McCabe-
Thiele diagram, a line is drawn with a slope of 9.333 that intersects the point {0.438,0.438}.
From Eq. (7-7), the slope of the rectifying section operating line = L/V = R/(R + 1) = 1/(1 + 1) =
0.5. This line is drawn on the McCabe-Thiele diagram with a slope of 0.5 that intersects the point
{0.99,0.99}. The stripping section operating line is drawn to intersect the point {0.01,0.01} and
the point where the q-line intersects the rectifying section operating line. In the McCabe-Thiele
graphs below, the first for the high mole-fraction region, it is seen that the specified reflux ratio
is, fortunately, above the minimum value for the specified distillate mole fraction. From the
plots, it is seen that 20 theoretical stages plus a partial reboiler are needed. The optimal feed
stage is number 17 down from the top.
Another solution:

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