ChE 401- Separation Processes II

Instructor: Dr. Mohammed Al-Yaari Semester: Fall (2014-2015)

Sheet No.: 3 (Distillation) Student Outcomes: (a, c, e and k)

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Q1. A binary mixture of n-heptane and n-octane at its boiling point with 70 mol % n-heptane is to
be continuously distilled to give a top product of 98 mol % n-heptane and a bottom product of 1
mol % n-heptane. The reflux ratio is 3 and the vapor pressure of n-heptane is twice the vapor
pressure of n-octane at the same temperature.
(a) Obtain the number of theoretical plates required.
(b) Calculate the minimum number of theoretical plates?
(c) Calculate the minimum reflux ratio?

Q2. A continuous fractionating column operating at atmospheric pressure is to be designed to

separate a mixture containing 15.67 wt % CS2 and 84.33 wt % CCl4 into an overhead product
containing 91 wt % CS2 and a bottom product containing 97.3 wt % CCl4. Assume a plate
efficiency of 70 % and a reflux ratio of 3.16. Feed enters at 15 oC with specific heat of 0.4
cal/mol.K and it boils at 63 oC. Latent heat of the mixture is 6200 cal/mol. Using the equilibrium
data below, determine the number of theoretical plates required?

Equilibrium data is:

x, mol % 10 20 30 40 60 80

y, mol % 24 42 53 64 75 90

Q3. (HW 4) A feed mixture composed of 42 mol % heptane and 58 mol % ethyl benzene is to be
fractionated at 760 mmHg to produce a distillate containing 97 mol % heptane and a residue
containing 98 mol % ethyl benzene. Equilibrium data is given as:

x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.9

y 0.26 0.44 0.566 0.65 0.73 0.79 0.85 0.953

Find:

(a) the minimum reflux ratio?

(b) the minimum number of equilibrium stages (at total reflux)?
(c) the number of plates required in the design of the distillation column operating at
reflux ratio twice the minimum reflux ratio?
(d) Repeat (a – c) if the feed entering the tower is partially vaporized so that 40 mol % is
liquid.