Degree of Freedom Analysis

It is the process used to determine if a material

balance problem has sufficient specifications to
be solved.
a) draw and completely label the flowchart
b) count the unknown variables on the chart
c) count the independent equations relating these
variables
d) calculate degrees of freedom by subtracting step (b)
from step (c)

ndf = nunknowns nindep_eqns

1 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
ndf = nunknowns nindep_eqns
If ndf = 0, problem can be solved (in principle).
if ndf > 0, problem is underspecified and at
least ndf additional variables must be specified
before the remaining variable values can be
determined.
if ndf < 0, the problem is overspecified with
redundant and possibly inconsistent relations.

2 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Sources of equations relating unknown process
stream variables include:
Material balances. For a nonreactive process, no more
than nms (number of molecular species or components )
independent material balances may be written.
Energy balance. An energy balance provides a
relationship between inlet and outlet material flows
and temperatures. (We will see this in ChE 301)
Process specifications.
Physical properties and laws.
Physical constraints.
Stoichiometric relations. (for reacting systems)
3 ChE 201 Fall 2011
 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 1
A stream of humid air enters a condenser in which 95%
of the water vapor in the air is condensed.
The flow rate of the condensate (liquid leaving the
condenser) is measured and found to be 225 L/h.
Calculate the flow
rate of the gas
condenser stream leaving the
condenser and the
mole fractions of
O2, N2, and H2O.

4 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 1
6 unknowns
3 material balances (1 each for O2, N2, H2O)
condensate volumetric to molar flow relation (MW and )
process specification: 95% of the water is condensed
ndf = 6 (3 + 1 + 1) = 1
condenser Underspecified
cannot solve

5 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 2
5 unknowns
3 material balances (1 each for O2, N2, H2O)
condensate volumetric to molar flow relation (MW and )
process specification: 95% of the water is condensed
ndf = 5 (3 + 1 + 1) = 0

condenser Solvable

6 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Density relationship
LH O

n 2 225 2h (l) 1.00 L2 (l)
kg H O
1 mol H2O
18.010 3 kg

95% condensation specification n 2 0.950.100n 1
O2 Balance n 1 0.9000.21 n 3
N2 Balance n 1 0.9000.79 n 4
H2O Balance n 1 0.100 n 2 n 5
outlet gas composition y O2 n 3 n total ; y N2 n 4 n total ; y H2O n 5 n total
total outlet gas flow rate n total n 3 n 4 n 5

condenser

7 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 3
Find the number of degrees of freedom
CB 20%
CC
Let us count F3 CD
unknown variables 100%

F1 =10 mole/hr F4
CA
CA
CB
CB
CC
CC 30%
100%
CD
CA 100%
CC
F2 100%
 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 3
Find the number of degrees of freedom
CB 20%
CC
F3 CD 4
3 100%
5
F1 =10 mole/hr F4
CA
CB
CA 6
CB
1 CC
CC 30% 7
100%
2 CD
CA 100%
CC
F2 100%
8
9
 Degree of Freedom Analysis
Example 3
9 unknowns
4 material balances (1 each for C1, C2, C3, C4)
ndf = 9 (4) = 5
 Material Balance
General Procedure Single Unit operation
1. Choose as a basis of calculation an amount or flow
rate of one of the process streams.
If an amount or flow of a stream is given, it is usually
convenient to use it as the basis of calculation.
Subsequently calculated quantities will be correctly
scaled.
If several stream amounts or flows are given, always
use them collectively as the basis.
If no stream amount or flow rate is specified, take as a
basis an arbitrariy amount or flow rate of a stream
with a known composition.

11 ChE 201 Fall 2011

General Procedure Single Unit Op
2. Draw flowchart and fill in all variable values,
including the basis. Label unknown stream variables.
Flowchart is completely labeled if you can express the
mass / mass flow rate (moles / molar flow rate) of each
component of each stream in terms of labeled quantities.
Labeled variables for each stream should include 1 of:
a. total mass (or flow), and mass fractions of all stream components
b. total moles (or flow), and mole fractions of all stream components
c. mass, moles (or flow) of each component in each stream
use (c) if no steam information is known
incorporate given relationships into flowchart
label volumetric quantities only if necessary

12 ChE 201 Fall 2011

General Procedure Single Unit Op
3. Express what the problem statement ask you
to do in terms of the labeled variables.
4. If given mixed mass and mole units, convert.
5. Do a degree-of-freedom analysis.
6. If ndf = 0, write equations relating unknowns.
7. Solve the equations in (6).
8. Calculate requested quantities.
9. Scale results if necessary.

13 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
2a. Flowchart drawn from description
Ex. 4.3-5
1. basis is given as a
volumetric quantity

2b. Convert mole to mass fractions

2c. no stream information known

write in terms of species flows

14 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
2d. confirm every component mass flow in every process stream
can be expressed in terms of labeled quantities and variables.
Ex. 4.3-5

2e. process specification

15 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
3. write expressions for quantities requested in problem statement
Ex. 4.3-5
2 m
m 1 m
3

3 m
m B3 m
T3

xB m 3 ; x T 1 xB
B3 m

16 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
4. Convert mixed units in overhead product stream
Ex. 4.3-5

95.0 kmol B78.11 kmol

kg B
B 7420 kg B

5.0 kmol T 92.13 kmol

kg T
T 461 kg T

7420 kg B 461kg T 7881kg mixture

yB2 7420 kg B 7881kg mixture 0.942 kgkgB
y T2 1 0.942 0.058 kgkgT

17 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
5. Perform degree of freedom analysis
Ex. 4.3-5

=0.942
=0.058

4 unknowns
-2 material balances
-1 density relationship
-1 process specification
0 degrees of freedom

18 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
6. Write system equations iv. total mass balance (check)
7. Solve 1 m
m 2 m
B3 m
T3

i. volumetric
Ex. 4.3-5 flow conversion
1744 kgh 1744 kgh

1 2000 hL 0.872 kgL 1744 kgh

m

ii. benzene split fraction

B3 0.080.45m
m 1 62.8 kghB

iii. benzene balance iv. toluene balance

0.45m 1 m 2yB2 m B3 0.55m 1 m 2 1 yB2 m T3
2 766 kghB
m T3 915 kghT
m

19 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Distillation Column example
8. Calculate additional quantities
Ex. 4.3-5
=766 kg/h
=0.942
=0.058
=1744 kg/h
y B3 m 3 62.8 kghB 978 kgh 0.064 kgkgB
B3 m
y T 3 1 0.064 0.936 kgkgT

=62.8 kg B/h
3 62.8 kghB 915 kghT 978 kgh
m
=915 kg T/h

20 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Balances on Multiple Unit Ops
A system is any portion of a process that can
be enclosed within a hypothetical box
(boundary). It may be the entire process, a
single unit, or a point where streams converge
or combine.

21 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Balances on Multiple Unit Ops
Boundary A encloses the entire process.
inputs: Streams 1, 2, and 3
products: 1, 2, and 3
Balances on A would be considered overall balances
internal streams would not be included in balances

22 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Balances on Multiple Unit Ops
B: an internal mixing point (2 inputs, 1 product)
C: Unit 1 (1 input, 2 products)
D: an internal splitting point (1 input, 2 products)
E: Unit 2 (2 inputs, 1 product)

23 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Balances on Multiple Unit Ops
The procedure for solving material balances on
multi-unit processes is the same as for a single unit;
though, it may be necessary to perform balances on
several process subsystems to get enough equations
to determine all unknown stream variables.

24 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Two-Unit Process Example
Variables for Streams 1, 2, and 3 are unknown

25 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Two-Unit Process Example
Variables for Streams 1, 2, and 3 are unknown
Label unknown stream variables

26 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Two-Unit Process Example
Degree-of-freedom analysis
overall system: 2 unknowns 2 balances = 0 (find m3, x3)
mixer: 4 unknowns 2 balances = 2
Unit 1: 2 unknowns 2 balances = 0 (find m1, x1)
mixer: 2 unknowns 2 balances = 0 (find m2, x2)

27 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

28 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

Simultaneously solve total mass

and acetone balances to
determine m1 and m3.

Solve MIBK balance to

determine xM1.

29 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

Solve acetone, MIBK, and water

balances to determine mA4,
mM4, and mW4.

30 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

For either (just 1) extractor

unit, solve acetone, MIBK, and
water balances to determine
mA2, mM2, and mW2.

31 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

ndf = 4 unknowns (mA6, mM6,

mW6, and m5) 3 balances = 1

underspecified

32 ChE 201 Fall 2011

 Extraction-Distillation Process

ndf = 4 unknowns (mA6, mM6,

mW6, and m5) 3 balances = 1

underspecified

33 ChE 201 Fall 2011