SIMPLE

DISTILLATION
CALCULATIONS
Topic No. 2
ChE 421

1
After this topic, you should be able to:

■ Define, describe, and differentiate simple flash and batch distillation

processes;
■ Calculate the bubble and dew points of a multicomponent feed;
■ Explain the concept of relative volatility;
■ Derive and apply the working equations for binary and
multicomponent flash and batch distillations and be able to apply the
straight calculation and graphical methods for specific applications.

2
Distillation
1. Simple distillation 2. Fractional distillation
 Single stage distillation  Iteration of simple distillation
 Condenses the liquid once  Boiling points of the liquids are close
(generally a difference of less than 40⁰C)
 Boiling points of the liquids
must be far apart.

3
What is Flash Distillation?
V, yVi Total
Condenser
the resulting liquid-vapor mixture is separated in a
flash drum at a specified pressure and temperature

liquid mixture feed is P, T

pumped through a D, xDi
heater Flash The vapor is passed through a
Partial Drum total
F, xFi
condenser to obtain the distillate;
Vapor while the liquid portion becomes
Heater the residue.
flows through a valve and the The vapor and the liquid
pressure is reduced (below its separated are in equilibrium.
vapor pressure), causing the liquid
to partially vaporize L, xLi

4
Isothermal Flash Distillation
V, yVi
Total
Condenser

D, xDi
P, T Nomenclature
Flash F = feed rate xFi = fraction of I in F
Partial
F, xFi Drum
V = overhead rate yVi = fraction of I in V
Vapor
L = bottoms rate xLi = fraction of I in L
Heater
D = distillate rate xDi = fraction of I in D
P = operating pressure T = operating temperature
L, xLi f = fraction of F that is vaporized (distilled)
Ki = Equilibrium Constant = f (P,T)

5
Isothermal Flash Distillation
1. Over-all Material Balances:
V, yVi Total
F = V + L Condenser
but V = D,

so F = D + L P, T
D, xDi
Partial Flash
F, xFi Drum

Vapor
Heater

L, xLi

6
Isothermal Flash Distillation
2. Component I Balance: V, yVi Total
F xFi = V yVi + L xLi but V = D Condenser
and
= D xDi + L xLi yVi = xDi

P, T
D, xDi
Partial Flash
F, xFi Drum
Vapor
Heater 3. Equilibrium Relation:

yVi = Ki xLi
4. f relation:
f = V/F = D/F L/F = 1 - f
L, xLi

7
Working Equations
xFi
xLi =
1 + f (Ki - 1)

Where f is a fraction, Ki = f (P,T)

Calculation Check: Sum of all xLi = 1.0

If f = 0: start of vaporization = Bubble Point

If f = 1: complete vaporization = Dew Point

For f to be a fraction, the flash drum must

operate between the bubble and dew points

8
Bubble Point Algorithm
• T at which liquid starts to
vaporize at specified P
Given Data: xFi and P or T • P at which starts to
vaporize at specified T
Required: Bubble point T or P, yiB
Assume T or P(use pure boiling point as guide)
Evaluate Ki using P and T
Solve yiB = Ki xFi (1st bubble composition)
Check if sum of yiB is equal to 1.0
If Yes, assumed T or P and yiB are correct
If Not, assume another T or P and repeat

9
Dew Point Algorithm
• T at which liquid ends to
vaporize or vapor starts to
condense at specified P
• P at which liquid ends to
vaporize or vapor starts to
Given Data: xFi and P or T condense at specified T
Required: Dew point T or P, xiD
Assume T or P(use pure boiling point as guide)
Evaluate Ki using P and T
Solve xiD= yiD / KiD (Last bubble composition)
Check if sum of xiD is equal to 1.0
If Yes, assumed T or P and xiD are correct
If Not, assume another T or P and repeat

10
Typical Flash Distillation Problems
Given xFi, f, P or T Given xFi, P and T
Unknown T or P, xLi, and xDi Unknown f,xLi, and xDi
Assume T or P Evaluate Ki
Evaluate Ki Assume f (fraction)
Solve xLi and check if Sum will Solve xLi and check if Sum will
equal one equal one
Repeat trial if needed Repeat trial if needed

11
Practice Problem # 1
A liquid mixture containing 20 mole% benzene (B), 30 mole%
toluene(T), and 50 mole% o-xylene (X) shall be flash distilled at 1 atm.
Assuming ideal system, determine:

a) Bubble and Dew points of mixture

b) Flash drum temperature and mole% composition of the products in
order that 40% of the feed will be distilled
c) Mole % of the feed to be distilled and the mole% compositions of
the products if flash drum temperature is 125°C.
d) Percent Recovery of benzene in operations (b) and (c)

12
For Computational Lab:
A liquid mixture containing 35 mole% n-pentane (A), 35 mole% n-hexane(B),
and 30 mole% n-heptane (C) shall be flash distilled
at 50 psia. Using the De Priester nomograph for equilibrium
constants , determine:

a) Bubble and Dew points of the mixture

b) Flash drum temperature and mole% composition
of the products in order that 50% of the feed will be distilled
c) Percent Recovery of n-pentane

13
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

L = liquid at any time

xi = I fraction in L
Heating Coil
xj = J fraction in L
Distilling Still

14
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

At the start:

L = F = feed

xFi = I fraction in F
Heating Coil
xFj = J fraction in F
Distilling Still

15
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

First Bubble (T1)

yFi = I fraction in bubble

= Ki1 xFi

Heating Coil

Distilling Still

16
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

Heating Coil

Distilling Still

17
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

dL = vapor formed at time dt

yi = I fraction in dL

yj = J fraction in dL
Heating Coil

Distilling Still

18
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

Heating Coil

Distilling Still

19
What is Batch, Differential Distillation?

At the End:

Final Bubble
at T2

yWi = I fraction
D= Distillate
= Ki2 xWi
xDi = I fraction in D
Heating Coil xDj = J fraction in D

L = W = Residue
xWi = I fraction in W
xWj = J fraction in W
20
Relative Volatility
For any two components, I and J:

Ki yixj
ij = =
Kj xiyj

For Ideal Systems:

Pis
ij =
Pjs

21
22
Derivation of Working Equation
yi xj
dI = yi dL dJ = yj dL
ij =
xi yj
I = xi L J= xj L

dI yi dL dL xj dJ
= =
I xi L L yj J

dI yi xj dJ dJ
= = ij
I xi yj J J

Assuming a geometric mean relative volatility, ijm

ijm = (ij1 ij2)1/2

I2 J2 I1 = F xFi I2 = W xWi
ln = ijm ln
I1 J1 J1 = F xFj J2 = W xWj

23
Working Equations
For any 2 components, I and J:

F xFi F xFj
ln = ijm ln
W xWi W xWj

Should be applied N-1 times, where N = no. of components

For Binary Systems:

F 1 xF 1 - xw
ln = ln + m ln
m - 1 xw 1 - xF
W

Distillate Composition: F xFi - W xWi

xDi =
F-W
24
Practice Problem # 2
100 moles of a liquid mixture containing 35% benzene, 35% toluene, and
30% o-xylene by mole is fed to a batch distillation still operating at 1 atm.

It is desired to recover 80% of the benzene. Assuming ideal system, and

using the DIPPR equation for vapor pressure, calculate the:

a) Initial and Final distillation temperatures

b) % of the feed distilled
c) Mole % composition of distillate and residue

25
Solution Algorithm
Find Bubble Point = T1; evaluate ij1
Set – up working equations and Calculate F xFi, W xWA
Assume T2; evaluate ij2; ijm
Solve missing W xWi using working equation (N-1) times
Calculate W=  W xWi , solve xWi
Solve yWi = Ki2 xWi and check if  yWi=1
If not assume another T2
 If OK, solve D, f = D/F, and xDi by component balance:
xDi = (F xFi - W xWi)/D

26
Homework for Later Discussion
An equimolal mixture of n-propane,n-butane, and n-pentane is subjected
to batch, differential distillation at 100 psia.

If 60% of the n-butane is recovered in the final distillate and using the
De Priester Nomograph from the Handbook, determine:

a) Initial and final distillation temperatures

b) Mol% Composition of Distillate and Residue
c) Molar ratio of Distillate to Feed

27
GRAPHICAL METHODS
FOR
BINARY SIMPLE
DISTILLATION

28
Intended Learning Outcomes

■ To apply T-x-y data and diagrams in solving problems involving:

– Flash Distillation
– Batch Differential Distillation

29
T-x-y Data for Methanol-Water at 1 atm

30
 1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

y 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

x
31
 0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

100

96

92

Dew Point
88

T 84

80

76

72

68 Bubble Point

64

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

x, y
32
 0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

100

96

Superheated Vapor
92

Saturated Vapor
88

84

80
Wet Mixture

76

72

68 Saturated Liquid

64 Subcooled Liquid

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

33
 1

0.9

0.8

yF 0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

Bubble Point 0.1

0
100

96

92

88

84

80
TB
76

72

68

64

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
xF yF 34
 1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

yD 0.3

0.2

Dew Point 0.1

0
100

96

TD 92

88

84

80

76

72

68

64

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
xD xF = yD 35
Graphical Method for Binary Flash Distillation

MVC Balance: F xF = L xL + V yV f = V/F

xF = (1- f) xL + f yV (xL, yV) lies in EC

Straight Line with slope:

1 f xF
yV   xL  1 f
f f 
f
And passing the diagonal at
x = xF

36
Example: Binary Flash Distillation
An equimolal mixture of methanol and water shall be
subjected to flash distillation at 1 atm. 50% of the feed
will be distilled. Determine graphically the:
1. Composition of the Distillate and Residue
2. Flash Drum Temperature

Given: xF = 0.5 f = 0.5

Solution:
1 f
slope    1
f

37
 1

0.9

0.8

1 f
yV = xD = 0.68
0.7
slope  
f
0.6

y 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

xL = 0.32 xF
38
 1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
100

96

92

88

84

80
T= 77oC 76

72

68

64

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
39
Graphical Method for Binary Flash Distillation
Differential MVC Balance:

L x = y dL + (L – dL) (x – dx) dL dx = 0

xW
W dL dx
 
dL dx

L yx F L xF y  x

Rayleigh’s Equation The right side is evaluated

xF by graphical integration, plotting
F dx
ln 
W xW y  x 1 vs x and getting the area
yx
under the curve between xW and xF

40
Example: Binary Batch Distillation
100 moles of an equimolal mixture of methanol and water will be subjected
to batch, differential distillation at 1 atm. The final residue will contain only
5 mole% methanol. Using a graphical method, determine:
a) Initial and Final distillation temperatures
b) Moles of Distillate collected
c) Mole% of Methanol in the distillate
*Repeat (b) and (c) using the equation based on mean relative volatility.

41
 0.1

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

100

96

T2
92

88

84

80

76

T1
72

68

64

60
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
xW yW xF yF 42
T-x-y Data for Methanol-Water at 1 atm
x  y  T 
i i i

0.00 0.000 100.0

0.02 0.134 96.4
0.04 0.230 93.5
0.06 0.304 91.2
0.08 0.365 89.3
0.10 0.418 87.7
0.15 0.517 84.4
0.20 0.579 81.7
0.30 0.665 78.0
0.40 0.729 75.3
0.50 0.779 73.1
0.60 0.825 71.2
0.70 0.870 69.3
0.80 0.915 67.5
0.90 0.958 66.0
0.95 0.979 65.0
1.00 1.000 64.5

43
From the Plot or the Data:

T1 = 73.1oC T2 = 92.8oC

yF = 0.779 yW = 0.255

xF
F dx
ln  
W xW y  x

0.5
100 dx
ln  
W 0.05 y  x
44
From the Equilibrium Data:

1
x  y  
j j y x
j j
0.02 0.134
8.772
0.04 0.23
5.263
0.06 0.304
4.098
0.08 0.365
3.509
0.1 0.418
3.145
0.15 0.517
2.725
0.2 0.579
2.639
0.3 0.665
2.74
0.4 0.729
3.04
0.5 0.779
3.584

45
 9

8.5

7.5

6.5

6
1
5.5
yx 5

4.5

3.5

2.5

2
0
x0.05
W
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
x0.5F

46
 9

8.5

7.5

6.5

6
1
5.5
yx 5

4.5

3.5

2.5

2
0
x0.05
W
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
x0.5F

47
Using Graphical Integration:

Area under the Curve between 0.05 and 0.5:

0.1(3.35) + 0.15(2.7 ) + 0.1(2.9 + 3.3) = 1.36

Solving W = 25.666 and D = 74.334

FxF  WxW
xD  xD = 0.6554
D

48
Using Equation Based on Mean Relative Volatility:

xF = 0.5 yF = 0.779
F 1  xF 1  xW 
ln  ln   ln 
W   1  xW 1  xF  xW = 0.05 yW = 0.255

y F (1  xF ) yW (1  xW )
  1 2 1  2 
xF (1  y F ) xW (1  yW )

1 = 3.5249 2 = 6.5034  = 4.787859

Solving W = 24.191 and D = 75.805

FxF  WxW
xD  xD = 0.6436
D
49
Practice Problem
An aqueous mixture with 40 mole% methanol shall be
subjected to distillation at 1 atm and 80oC. Using graphical
methods, determine the:
1. Composition of the Distillate and Residue
2. % of the Feed that is Distilled
If a) Flash Distillation is employed
b) Batch Differential Distillation is employed

50
©UST Ch.E. Department
©UST Ch.E. Department