8/15/2011

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The McCabe-Thiele Graphical Method

Episode 1
Application to Binary Rectification

Rewind of the McCabe Thiele Method Special Clip on Binary Rectification Rectification and Stripping in Plates Drama of the Rectifying and Stripping Sections Intrigues of the Feed Plate Putting our Act Together to Determine the Number of Ideal Plates

The McCabe-Thiele Method A Rewind

It is a graphical method for solving

Binary Rectification
This is a distillation application to a

multistage applications. It assumes constant molal overflow from each stage. Like the Kremser Equation, the M-T Method assumes that some constant rates exist in the flow. However, the equilibrium relation for the system is not linear.

binary system where a fractionating column is used. A Reflux Rate from a Condenser and a Boil-up Rate from a Reboiler generate the liquid and vapor flows through several contact plates. The Feed is introduced in a proper plate; the section above the feed is called the Rectifying Section; below it is the Stripping Section.

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TC Reflux Rectifying Section Feed

Total Condenser

Visualization of the Column

Distillate

xD

xF
Stripping Section

A Simple Fractionating Column

V L
Boil-up

PR Partial Reboiler

Bottoms

B xB

Plate Analysis
Plates are numbered serially from

Plate Analysis
n-1 n n+1

top to bottom.
The McCabe-Thiele Method

assumes that the liquid and vapor flows from each plate are constant in each section. For Rectifying Section: L & V For Stripping Section: L & V

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Plate Analysis
As contact between liquid and vapor

Plate Analysis
This means that the MVC fraction in

occurs in each plate, the vapor becomes richer in MVC; while MVC is removed from the liquid. Rectification - enrichment of the vapor with MVC Stripping- removal of MVC from the liquid

the vapor (y) increases from bottom to top and the MVC fraction in the liquid (x) decreases from top to bottom. The plate temperature (T) increases from top to bottom.

Plate Analysis
n-1
yn xn-1

Equilibrium Data
Binary Equilibrium Data Sources Handbook Distillation Section Ideal System A plot of y versus x equilibrium data is needed. A diagonal (x = y) plot is also drawn for use in the McCabe-Thiele Method.

T T
yn+1 xn

n-1

n n+1

n+1

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Methanol -Water Equilibrium Data

1 1

Analysis of the Rectifying Section

V TC Reflux L Total Condenser

0.8

Distillate

xD

0.6

n V L x n Material Balances: Stream Balance: V = L + D

0.4

y n+1

0.2

MVC Balance: V y = L x + D x n D n+1 y n+1 = L V x n + D V x D Rectifying Line Equation

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

0.6

0.8

1 1

Analysis of the Rectifying Section

y n+1 = L V x n + D V x D L V But: V = L + D L V R D R + D 1 R D R + D 1 Let: RD D V = L D Reflux Ratio 1 = R + D x x n + D 1 1 Rectifying Line Equation

Analysis of the Rectifying Section

y n+1 = R D R + D 1 R D R + D 1 x x n + D 1

The RLE is a straight line with slope:

R + D x D 1

Slope =

Y-Intercept =

R + D

Diagonal (x=y) Analysis: If x = y , then x = x D This means that the RL will intersect the diagonal when x = x D

y n+1 =

R + D

Another Form of the RLE

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Analysis of the Rectifying Section

Procedure To Plot the Rectifying Line:

0.8

RL

1. Given the Reflux Ratio and Distillate Composition, calculate the y-intercept of the RL. 2. Plot xD in the diagonal. 3. Connect xD in the diagonal with the y-intercept.

0.6 y d

Y-int
i 0.4

Example: Given a Distillate with 90 mole% Methanol, 10 mole% Water and a Reflux Ratio of 0.8. x x R = 0.8 D D = 0.9 D = 0.5 R + 1 D

0.2

0 0

0.2

0.4 x i

0.6

0.8

xD

1 1

Analysis of the Stripping Section

y m m V L V L x m-1 Material Balances: Stream Balance: L = V + B B

Analysis of the Stripping Section

y m = L V x B m-1 V L V Note that the Y-intercept of the SLE is negative. x B

V = L -

The SLE is a straight line with slope:

PR

Bottoms

Partial Reboiler MVC Balance: L V L x m-1 = V y + m B m-1 V x

B xB
B x B

Diagonal (x=y) Analysis: If x = y , then x = x B This means that the SL will intersect the diagonal when x = xB

y m

Stripping Line Equation

To plot easier the SL, another straight line equation may be derived by combining the RLE and SLE. This is the Feed Line Equation (FLE).

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Analysis of the Feed Plate

Analysis of the Feed Plate

Feed

L Feed

Let q = mole of liquid contributed by 1 mole of feed to the Stripping Section 1 - q = mole of vapor contributed by 1 mole of feed to the Rectifying Section

Therefore:

L V

= =

L + q F V + (1 - q) F

Derivation of the Feed Line Equation

From the RLE: From the SLE: Subtracting: V y = L x + D xD V y = L x - B xB Eqn A

Derivation of the Feed Line Equation

y = q (q - 1) x + xF (1- q) q (q - 1)

(V - V) y = (L - L) x + D xD + B xB

The FLE is also a straight line with slope: Diagonal (x=y) Analysis: If x = y , then x = xF

Also the Over-all MVC Balance is:

F xF = D xD + B xB

From the Analysis of the Feed Plate: (V - V) = (1 - q) F Eqn A therefore becomes: y = q (q - 1) -q (1- q) x + and (L - L) = -q F (1 - q) F y = -q F x + F xF x + xF (1- q) xF (1- q) Feed Line Equation

This means that the FL will intersect the diagonal when x = xF

Since the FLE is derived from the RLE and SLE, this means that the three lines intersect. Thus the SL should pass the intersection of the RL and FL. NOTE: THE VALUE OF q DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF FEED.

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Types of Feed
Saturated Liquid F V L

Types of Feed
Saturated Vapor F V L

Feed q=1

Feed V L q=0

+ F

V + F

Slope of the Feed Line is Infinity.

Slope of the Feed Line is Zero.

Types of Feed
Wet Mixture F V L

Types of Feed
Subcooled Liquid F V L

Feed

Feed V L q>1

0<q<1

V =

V + (1 - q) F

= L +qF

V <

L +qF

Slope of the Feed Line is Negative.

Slope of the Feed Line is Positive.

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Types of Feed
Superheated Vapor F V L

Plotting of the Feed Line

1. Plot xF in the Diagonal. 2. Knowing the type of feed, calculate the Slope of the Feed Line = q (q - 1)

Feed q<0

L 3. From xF in the Diagonal, draw a straight line with the calculated slope.

V =

V + (1 - q) F

<

Slope of the Feed Line is Positive.

0.8

Feed Line for Subcooled Liquid

Feed Line for Saturated Liquid

0.8

0.6 y d i i 0.4 y d i i

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

xF
x i

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

0.6

0.8

1 1

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

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0.8

Feed Line for Wet Mixture

0.8

Feed Line for Saturated Vapor

0.6 y d i i 0.4 y d i i

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

xF
x i

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

0.6

0.8

1 1

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

Feed Line for Superheated Vapor

0.8

Plotting of the Stripping Line

0.6 y d i i 0.4

1. Plot the Rectifying Line. 2. Plot the Feed Line. 3. Plot xB in the Diagonal. 4. From xB in the Diagonal, draw a straight line passing through the intersection of the Rectifying and Feed Lines.

0.2

0 0 0 0.2 0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

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Determination of the Number of Ideal Stages

0.8

0.6 y d i i 0.4

Example: A saturated liquid mixture of 50% methanol, 50% water by mole will be distilled in a column using a total condenser and partial reboiler. The distillate is to contain 90 mole% methanol while the bottoms shall have 5 mole% methanol. Reflux Ratio is 0.8. Using a Feed Rate of 100 Moles/hr and the McCabe-Thiele Method, determine: a) Molal Rates of Liquid and Vapor in RS and SS b) Number of Ideal Plates Needed c) Mole % Methanol in L & V from each plate d) Location of the Feed Plate

0.2

0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

xD

1 1

Determination of the Number of Ideal Stages

Given: F = 100 moles/hr xF = 0.5 q = 1 xD = 0.9 xB = 0.05 Rd = 0.8 Required: a) L, V in RS & SS b) No. of ideal plates c) y and x from each plate Solution: V = L + D Rd = L/D = 0.8 V = (Rd + 1)D F = D + B = 100 F xF = D xD + B xB D = 52.9412 L = 42.3529 V = 95.2941 = V L = L + F = 142.3529

Determination of the Number of Ideal Stages

Procedure to Get No. of Ideal Stages: 1. Plot the RL, FL, and SL. 2. From xD in the diagonal, draw triangular steps using the EL and RL alternately. 3. Shift to the SL once the intersection of the RL and FL is reached or passed by. 4. Continue drawing the triangular steps until xB is reached or passed by. 5. Number of Ideal Stages = No. of Steps Number of Ideal Plates = No. of Steps - 1 since the Partial Reboiler is an Ideal Stage

10

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Determination of the Number of Ideal Stages

0.8

TC V y1 Reflux

Total Condenser

0.6 y d i i 0.4

1 y2 x1

L xo

D
y1 = xo = xD

xD

(X1, y1) - equilibrium composition

0.2

Analysis of the First Plate

0 0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

xD

1 1

Drawing the First Plate

1 1 1 1

Locating the Feed Plate

y1 y2

0.8

0.8

0.6 y d y i d i 0.4 i i

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2

0 0 0 0

0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

x1

0.8

1 1

xD

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

xD

11

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Shifting to the Stripping Section

1 1 1 1

Completing All the Ideal Stages

0.8 0.8

0.6 y d i i 0.4 y d i i 0.4 0.6

0.2 0.2

0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

xD
0 0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

1 1

xD

Determination of Plate Compositions and Feed Plate Location

To Get the Liquid and Vapor Compositions from Each Plate: Using the EL, read the x and y values for each step corresponding to a plate. To Locate the Feed Plate: Locate the step that crosses over the intersection of the RL and FL. This corresponds to the feed plate.

1 2
0.8

3 4

0.6 y d i i 0.4

0.2

PR

0 0 0

xB

0.2

0.4

xF
x i

0.6

0.8

xD

1 1

12