Equilibrium Stage Process

CHE 316

Multicomponent (MC) Examples

Chemical and Materials Engineering

October 18, 2024

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Multi-component

1 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

2 Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

3 Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

4 Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 2 / 22
 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 3 / 22
 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Mole balance I
A mixture at the rate of 200 kmol/hr is to be separated by distillation. The feed
consists of 10 mole% propane, 45 mole% n-butane, 40 mole % n-pentane and the
balance is n-hexane. It is desired to obtain a distillate stream containing no more
than 4 mole% n-pentane and bottoms stream containing no more than 2 mole%
n-butane. Determine the flows and the compositions of the distillate and bottoms
product as well as recoveries of the key components.

Figure 1.1: Distillation column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 4 / 22
 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Mole balance II

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 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Mole balance III

As the specifications are given on n-butane and n pentane, these are respectively
the light and heavy keys.
Propane is the LNK and all goes to the distillate, so:

xBC3 = 0
The n-hexane is the HNK, So:

xDC6 = 0
With four components we have four independent balances:
Overall balance: F = D + B = 200kmole/hr B = 200 − D (eqn. 1)
Component balances: F xF i = DxDi + BxBi (eqn.2)
Propane: 200(0.10) = DxDC3 + B(0) = 20kmole/hr
n-butane: 200(0.45) = DxDC4 + (200 − D)0.02 = 90kmole/hr
n-pentane: 200(0.40) = D(0.04) + (200 − D)xBC5 = 80kmole/hr

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 6 / 22
 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Mole balance IV
Sum of xDi = 1 : xDC3 + xDC4 + xDC5 + xDC6 = 1.0

xDC4 = 1.0 − xDC3 − 0.04 − 0 = 0.96 − xDC3

Substitute into n-butane balance:

D (0.96 − xDC3 ) + (200 − D)0.02 = 90kmole/hr
D(0.96 − 0.02) = 90 + DXDC3 − 200(0.02)
Substitute propane balance: 0.94D = 90 + 20 − 4 = 106 kmole/hr
D = 106/0.94 = 112.8kmole/hr
B = 200 − 112.8 = 87.2kmole/hr
n-hexane balance: 200(0.05) = D(0) + (200 − D)xBC6 = 10kmole/hr
xBC6 = 10/87.2 = 0.115 xBC5 = 1.0 − 0 − 0.02 − 0.115 = 0.865

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 7 / 22
 Example MC-1: Multi component column material balance

Mole balance V

Compositions: Distillate Bottoms

Propane: 20/112.8= 0.177 0
n-butane: 0.96 -0.177= 0.783 0.020
n-pentane 0.040 0.865
n-hexane 0 0.115
Table 1: MC Column mole balance summary

Recoveries:
n-butane in distillate: 0.783(112.8)/90 = 0.98
n-pentane in bottoms: 0.865(87.2)/80 = 0.94

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 8 / 22
Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of

Hydrocarbons

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Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-2. Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture

of Hydrocarbons I

The relative volatilities for the components of Example MC-1 are given at the top
and bottom of the column in the table below, along with the results for the
specifications of Example MC-1. Determine the minimum number of equilibrium
stages using the Fenske equation. Determine also the compositions of the non-key
components at total reflux
Component zF i xDi xBi α, top α, bot
propane 0.10 0.177 0.000 6.775 11.100
LK n-butane 0.45 0.783 0.020 2.460 3.172
HK n-pentane 0.40 0.040 0.865 1.000 1.000
n-hexane 0.05 0.000 0.115 0.422 0.330
Total 1.00 1.00 1.00
Table 2: Relative volatilities

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Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-2. Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture

of Hydrocarbons II
Note that the relative volatilities are calculated relative to the heavy key,
n-pentane.
Solution: Compute the average relative volatilities:
√
Propane: αC3−HK = (6.775)(11.100) = 8.671
√
n-butane: αC4−HK = (2.460)(3.172) = 2.793
√
n-hexane: αC6−HK = (0.422)(0.330) = 0.373
Minimum number of stages:
( ) ( )
x xB,HK
ln xD,LK
D,HK xB,LK
ln (0.783)(0.865)
(0.020)(0.040)
Nmin = = = 6.6
ln (αLK−HK ) ln(2.793)

To obtain the compositions of the non-key components at total reflux we apply

the Fenske equation to those components:
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Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-2. Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture

of Hydrocarbons III

( ) ( )
xD,C3 xB,HK (0.117)(0.865)
ln xD,HK xB,C3 ln 0.020xB,C3
Propane (LNK) : Nmin = = = 6.6
ln (αC3−HK ) ln(8.671)
(0.117)(0.865)
xB,C3 = 8.671−6.6 = 3.3 × 10−6
0.020( ) ( )
xD,C6 xB,HK xD,C6 (0.865)
ln xD,HK xB,C6 ln 0.0200.115
n-hexane (HNK) : Nmin = = = 6.6
ln (αC6−HK ) ln(0.373)
(0.020)(0.115)
xD,C6 = 0.3736.6 = 4.0 × 10−6
0.865
Both of these mole fractions were assumed to be zero in the mass balances of
Example MC-1. They are small enough so that the mass balance results are not
affected.
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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 12 / 22
Example MC-2: Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-2. Minimum Number of Stages for a Mixture

of Hydrocarbons IV

It is important to realize that, because design calculations involve approximations

such as these, the results are only accurate to at most three significant digits.
This is why you must not report your results to more than three digits.

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 13 / 22
Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of

Hydrocarbons

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 14 / 22
 Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example 3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of

Hydrocarbons I
For the conditions of Example 1 determine the minimum reflux ratio. The feed
enters the column 40% vaporized, by mole, at the conditions of the feed.
Solution.
∑C
αi−ref zF,i
1−q =
α
i=1 i−ref
−ϕ

(eqn.3)
The average relative volatilities were determined in Example MC-2. As q is the
molar fraction of the feed that is liquid,

q = 1 − f = 1 − 0.4 = 0.60
Equation 3 to solve for ∅ :

8.671(0.10) 2.793(0.45) 1.0(0.40) 0.373(0.05)

1 − 0.60 = + + +
8.671 − ∅ 2.793 − ∅ 1.0 − ∅ 0.373 − ∅
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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 15 / 22
 Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example 3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of

Hydrocarbons II

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 Example MC-3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of Hydrocarbons

Example 3. Minimum Reflux Ratio for a Mixture of

Hydrocarbons III

The value of ∅ is between 1.0 and 2.793.

Solving eqn. 3 numerically (In this example the secant method converges within
four iterations) to give ϕ = 1.555
Now, we can calculate the minimum reflux ratio with ϕ = 1.555 :

∑
C
αi−ref xD,i
Rmin = −1
i=1
αi−ref − ϕ

8.671(0.117) 2.793(0.783) 1.0(0.040) 0.373(0.)

Rmin = + + + −1 = 0.837
8.671 − 1.555 2.793 − 1.555 1.0 − 1.555 0.373 − 1.555

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 17 / 22
Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon

mixture

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 18 / 22
 Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

Example 4. Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon

mixture I

Determine the number of actual trays required for column of example MC-1 at a
reflux ratio of 1.25 times the minimum ratio and an overall column efficiency of
50%. Assume the column has a total condenser and a partial reboiler. Determine
also the optimum location of the feed tray.
Solution
The minimum number of stages was calculated in Example MC-2 and the
minimum reflux in Example MC-3.

Nmin = 6.6 Rmin = 0.837

Reflux ratio: R = 1.25(0.837) = 1.0462

R − Rmin 1.0462 − 0.837

= = 0.1023
R+1 1.046 + 1
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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 19 / 22
 Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

Example 4. Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon

mixture II

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 Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

Example 4. Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon

mixture III

From Gilliland figure

N − Nmin 6.6 − 0.55

= 0.55 = 15.9
N +1 1 − 0.55
Assuming the partial reboiler is an equilibrium stage, the number of actual trays
required for 50% overall efficiency is

Nactual = (15.9 − 1)/0.5 = 29.9 or 30 actual trays

The Gilliland correlation can also be used to estimate the reflux ratio required for
a specified number of equilibrium stages
Kirkbride equation:
[( )( )2 ]0.206
NR zF,HK xB,LK B
=
N − NR zF,LK xD,HK D
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 Example MC-4: Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon mixture

Example 4. Number of Equilibrium Stages for Hydrocarbon

mixture IV

Optimum feed tray location:

[( )( )2 ]0.206
NR 0.40 0.040 112.8
= = 1.4
N − NR 0.45 0.020 87.2
NR = N/(1 + 1.4) = 15.9/2.4 = 7.0
So, 7 stages above the feed and 9 below. In real trays (50% efficiency) :

Above the feed tray: 7.0/0.50 = 14

Below the feed tray: (9 − 1)/0.50 = 16
Note that we subtracted one stage from the bottom to account for the partial
reboiler.

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Dr. J.P. Mmbaga Equilibrium Stage Process October 18, 2024 22 / 22