SAMPLE PROBLEM #18:

A distillation column with a total condenser and a

partial reboiler is separating acetone and ethanol.
The feed is 70 mole % acetone, flows at 1000
moles/hr, and is a superheated vapor for which 1
mole of liquid must vaporize on the feed plate to cool
4 moles of feed.
A distillation column with a total condenser and a
partial reboiler is separating acetone and ethanol.
We desire a bottoms composition of 5 mole %
acetone and a distillate composition of 90 mole %
acetone. Reflux is a saturated liquid. Pressure is 1
atm.
 SOLUTION
TC

L0
1000 mols/h
D
Feed sat liq xD = 0.9
Distilling
xF= 0.7 Column
1atm
Superheated
Vapor
(v/F= ¼)
PR B
xB = 0.05
(a) Nmin?
(b) Rm?
(c) nF,opt & N, if Lo/D = 2(Lo/D)min?
 Minimum number of equilibrium stages
Acetone-Ethanol System

1
mol frac acetone in vap, y

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

Nmin = 6.8
0 xB xF xD
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
mol frac acetone in liq, x
Minimum External Reflux Ratio

L V

v/F = 1/4
v
F

L V
L = L – v = L – (1/4)F

1 1
L - F -L - F
L -L 4 4 1
q= = = =-
F F F 4

1 1
- -
= q = 4 = 4 = 1
slope
q-1 1 5 5
- -1 -
4 4
 Acetone-Ethanol System

1
mol frac acetone in vap, y

0.8

0.6

0.4 y-int = 0.39

0.2

0 xF xD
xB
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
mol frac acetone in liq, x
 xD 0.9 ,R = 1.33
y-int = 0.39 = = m
R+1 R+1
nF, opt & N, if Lo/D = 2(Lo/D)min
Rectifying Line
R = 2Rm = 2(1.33) = 2.67
xD 0.9
y-int = = = 0.25
R + 1 2.67 + 1
Feed Line
if x = 0.26, y = 0.44
 Acetone-Ethanol System

mol frac acetone in vap, y

0.8
nF, opt = 5
Stripping Line
Rectifying Operating Line
0.6

0.4

0.2
N = 9.4

0 xB xF xD
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
mol frac acetone in liq, x

Nmin = 6.8 Rm = 1.33 nF,opt = 5 & N = 9.4