Multicomponent Distillation Calculations
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ScribdTranslationsMulticomponent Distillation Calculations
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ScribdTranslationsMulticomponent distillation problems.
Team 7
1. The composition of a liquid feeding in molar fraction is given immediately.
n-butano=0.35
n-pentane=0.2
n-hexano=0.25
n-heptano=0.2
At a pressure of 405.3 KPa, it is desired to recover 85% of the n-pentane fed in the distillate.
90% of n-hexane fed in the bottoms, assuming a feed of 100 kgmol/h,
calculate the following:
a) Boiling point and composition of the vapor at equilibrium
b) Dew point and composition of the liquid in equilibrium.
2. The following feed of 100 mol/h at the boiling point and at a pressure of 405.3 kPa
feeds into a fractionating tower:
n-butano= 0.4
n-pentane = 0.25
n-hexano= 0.2
n-heptano= 0.15
This feed is distilled in such a way that 95% of n-pentane is recovered in the distillate and the
95% of n-hexane is recovered in the residue. Calculate the following:
a) The moles per hour and the composition of the distillate and the residue.
b) Temperatures at the top and bottom of the tower
c) Minimum number of stages for minimum reflux and distribution of others
components in the distillate and in the residue.
3. A diet consisting of a liquid part and a vapor part (q=0.3) at 405.4 lPa
feeds at a rate of 1000 mol/h to a distillation tower. The overall composition of the
nutrition is:
n-butano= 0.35
n-pentano= 0.30
n-hexano= 0.20
n-heptano= 0.15
The distillate is processed so that 97% of n-pentane is recovered in the distillate and 85%
n-hexane is recovered in the residue. Calculate the following:
a) The quantity and composition of the products and the temperatures at the top.
b) The number of stages in the total reflux and the distribution of the other components in
the products.
4. A feed of 30% mole of methanol, 20% ethanol, 15% n-propanol, and 35% n-
Butanol is distilled at 101.32 kPa to obtain a distillate composition that contains 95%
moles of methanol and a residual composition containing 5.0% methanol and the others
components as it was calculated. The feed is below its boiling point,
so that q= 1.1. The operational reflux ratio is 3.0. Assume that the law is fulfilled
Raoulty uses steam and pressure data
Methanol ethanol n-propanol n-butanol
220.2
351.5 148.9
190.1
240.6
301.9 131.3
376.0
206.1
225.9
387.6
Calculate the following:
a) Composition and quantities of the distillate and the residue for a feed of 100
mol/h.
b) The temperatures of the top and the residue and the number of reflux stages
total.
A liquid feed at its boiling point will be distilled in a column of plates.
to produce the distillate and the residue as follows. Feed:
Xaf=0.047
Xbf=0.072
Xcf=0.881
Destled:
Xad=0.1260
Xbd=0.1913
Xcd=0.6827
Funds:
Xaw=0.0
Xbw=0.001
Xcw=0.999
The average values of volatility
alphaA=4.19
alphaB=1.58
alphaC=1.0
For a feeding task of 100 mol. Calculate D and W, the minimum number of stages for reflux.
total and the distribution (composition) of A in the residue.
6. The following feed will be fractionated at 82 °C, 150 lbf/in2 so that at that pressure the
vapor phase distillate contains 0.98 of C3H8 and only 1% C5H12
Component=
CH4=0.03
C2H6= 0.07
n-C3H8= 0.15
n-C4H10= 0.33
n-C5H12= 0.3
n-C6H14= 0.12
Calculate the minimum reflux ratio and the corresponding products.
A diet of 30% mole of methane (A), 20% of ethane (B), 15% of n-propane (C) and
35% of n-butane (D) is distilled at 101.32 kPa to recover 85% of the ethane from it.
distillate and 90% of n-propane at the bottom. The feed is a mixture, so
that q=0.7. Calculate the following:
a) The composition and quantities of the distillate and the residue for a feed of 100 mol/h.
b) The last temperatures of the top and the residue and the number of total reflux stages.
c) Also calculate the distribution of the other components.
d) The minimum reflux ratio, the number of stages, and the location of the feed tray.
8. Perform the previous exercise assuming in this case that it is desired to recover 95% of the
methane through the Latorre cap and 90% of the propane through the bottom of the column.
A mixture of hydrocarbons enters as feed to a distillation column.
as a liquid at bubble point at 300 psia, with the following composition in fractions
molars: C2= 0.08, C3= 0.15, nC4= 0.20, nC5= 0.27, nC6= 0.20 y nC7= 0.10.
a) For a neat separation between nC4y nC5determine the column pressure and the time
of the condenser if the temperature at its output is 120°F.
b) For total reflection, determine the separation for eight theoretical stages in total.
specifying a molar fraction of 0.01 for nC4in the product of queues.
c) Determine the minimum reflux for part (b).
d) Determine the number of theoretical stages for L/D = 15 times the minimum value.
10. It is desired to distill 2000 kgmol/h of a saturated liquid feed. The feed is
mole fractions, contains 0.056 of propane, 0.321 of n-butane, 0.482 of n-pentane and the
the rest is n-hexane. The column operates at 101.3 kPa and has a total condenser and a
partial vaporizer. The reflux ratio is L0/D=3.5 and the reflux is saturated liquid. It is going to
to use the optimal feeding stage. It is desired that the distillate has a recovery
of 99.4% n-butane and that the bottoms have 99.7% n-pentane. This is the
compositions and flows of the highlight and funds. In addition, indicate the number of plates.
necessary.
11. A liquid of 100 lbmol/h will be processed in a multi-stage distillation column.
a mixture composed of 45% mol of benzene (1), 25% mol of toluene (2), and 30% mol of
o-xylene(3). The distillation stream should have a composition of o-xylene and a flow
a total of 71.27 lbmol/h. The feed to the column will be a liquid-vapor mixture with
20% vapor. If it will operate with a reflux ratio of 3 and a pressure of 1 atm, calculate.
the number of equilibrium stages and the feed tray.
12. It is desired to separate hydrocarbons using a distillation column with two feeds. The
The column operates at 75 psig. It has a total condenser and a partial vaporizer.
first feed has 30% ethane by weight, 0.6% propylene by weight, 45%
propane by weight, 15.4% n-butane by weight and 9% n-pentane by weight. The feed
It is a saturated liquid that enters at 1000 kg/h. The second feed contains 2%
ethane at 0.1% propylene by weight, 24.9% propane by weight, 40% n-butane in
weight, 18% n-pentane by weight and 15% n-hexane by weight, entering at 1500 kg/h as
saturated liquid. We want 99.1% recovery of propane in the distillate and 98%
recovery of n-nonane in the tails. Consider a 20% excess reflux with
regarding the minimum reflux. Obtain the total number of plates.
13. It is desired to separate by distillation; into two fractions, a stream of 7000 mol/h that
contains: 20% propane, 30% isobutane, 20% iso-pentane, and 30% pentane;
format, so that all the propane that enters the unit is obtained and only the
80% iso-pentane from the feed. The distillate must contain a maximum of 40%.
from iso-butane. It is required that all the normal pentane that enters is obtained in the residue.
to the distillation column.
Determine the amount of distillate and residue obtained in this process, as well as the
mole fractions
14. It is required to separate a sample of three components, using a system of
recirculation formed by a distillation column and its condenser. The mixture
consists of 7% Acetone, 61.9% Acetic Acid, and 31.1% Acetic Anhydride.
designed the column to produce a flow of funds that does not contain acetone and
a distillate containing 10% acetone, 88% acetic acid, and 2% anhydride
acetco.
If the column is operated so that 60% of the vapor released is returned as reflux
thanks.
Determine the material balance if it is required to produce 1000 mol/h of distillate.
15. Estimate the number of ideal stages needed in the butane-pentane splitter defined.
by the compositions given in the table below. The column will operate at a pressure of 8.3
bar with a reflux of 2.5. The feed is at its boiling point.
Equilibrium constants were taken from the DePriester charts.
Relative volatilities.
Common questions
Powered by AIOperating pressure affects the boiling points of the components within the mixture, thereby influencing the ease of separation. Higher pressures generally increase boiling points, which can mitigate vapor-liquid equilibrium challenges for volatile components and frequently lead to a decrease in required column height (fewer stages). Conversely, lower pressures can enhance separation by expanding the relative volatilities between components, making it more effective to separate components like methane and ethane . Still, operating at very low pressures might lead to increased energy costs for reboiling and compression .
The optimal feed stage location is determined by analyzing the column's stage efficiency and vapor-liquid equilibrium data to ensure maximum interaction between ascending vapors and descending liquids. Placement impacts energy usage and separation efficiency. Ideally, the feed is introduced where its boiling point aligns closely with the column's temperature profile, typically near the middle or at a point where its thermal condition (q-value) balances the vapor-liquid equilibrium, optimizing mass transfer and minimizing energy consumption .
Choosing different recovery percentages for components in distillate and residue directly impacts the composition and quantity of the products. For instance, recovering 85% of n-pentane in the distillate and 90% of n-hexane in the bottoms would require precise control over operating conditions, such as the reflux ratio and temperatures, to achieve the desired separation while considering the feed composition and volatility differences of components . The balance between the vapor-liquid equilibrium and relative volatilities largely determines the separation efficiency and product composition .
Achieving specific purity levels in both distillate and residue complicates the distillation process as it requires precise control over stagewise separation, reflux ratio, and operating conditions. High purity targets necessitate close attention to relative volatility modifications, often demanding higher energy inputs or tighter control of column pressure and temperature. It may also necessitate the use of additional stages or auxiliary separation methods like reboilers or supplemental columns, increasing both complexity and operational cost .
The q-value characterizes the thermal condition of the feed, indicating the fraction of the feed that is liquid. It is essential because it influences the enthalpy balance within the column and determines the proximity of the feed to the tower's saturation point. It affects the number of stages, the temperature profile, and the internal reflux ratio needed to achieve the desired separation. Specifying q-value helps in designing efficient energy integration in the column, ensuring optimal heat balance and product purity .
Changes in feed composition can significantly impact recovery efficiencies, as they alter the equilibrium relationships between components and their relative volatilities. A higher proportion of a more volatile component could saturate the distillate, necessitating stricter control over reflux to maintain recovery levels of targeted substances. Conversely, an increased presence of less volatile components could drive the need for additional stages or a modified reflux ratio to achieve desired recovery rates, complicating the overall separation strategy .
A total condenser condenses all vapor leaving the top of the column into liquid, which is then split into reflux and distillate, ensuring full recovery of all components in the vapor. This approach can be beneficial for maximum separation of lighter components. A partial condenser, however, allows some vapor to leave the condenser, which can lead to operational flexibility by removing lighter components as vapor, potentially saving energy. The choice between total and partial condensation affects column pressure, energy consumption, and separation efficiency significantly .
The mixture composition critically influences the design strategy as different hydrocarbons exhibit varying volatilities, affecting their separation ease. Methane, being more volatile than propane and heavier components, will require specific pressure and temperature conditions to condense and separate effectively in the distillate. For instance, recovering high percentages of components mandates fine-tuning reflux ratios, pressures, and temperatures to maximize separation efficiency while reducing component loss. The design must also accommodate variances in boiling points and the energy demands for component condensation and reboiling .
The reflux ratio is a critical factor that influences the number of distillation stages required. A higher reflux ratio typically leads to fewer stages needed to achieve a given separation, as more liquid is recycled back into the column, thereby increasing the contact between ascending vapor and descending liquid. However, this increased reflux also means higher energy consumption. Conversely, a lower reflux ratio would necessitate more stages to attain the same level of separation. This trade-off must be balanced based on the desired separation purity and process economics .
Handling a feed significantly below its boiling point introduces an energy requirement to preheat the feed, affecting the heat balance and potentially increasing the reflux ratio needed. This discrepancy can also affect the q-value, leading to inefficient utilization of the feed tray. Conversely, feeding above the boiling point may lead to a high vapor fraction, impacting liquid holdup in the feed zone, and influencing column pressure and staging. Such variances can disrupt temperature profiles and separation efficiency, necessitating careful thermal and mechanical design adjustments to the column .