Acetone recovery using Absorber and Distillation column

All the unknowns should be found using ASPEN PLUS Software.

• Specify the property package used for the above problem and the reason to choose
it.
• Also report the required net heat duty of the process.

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Abstract:
It is a steady state process in which no reaction is taking place with three subsystems. The basis
of 1 hr has been assumed. The mass flow rates of the unknown streams have been calculated by
the help of aspen plus. By the help of mass balance, the flow rate of the stream were calculated
for estimation. In aspen plus the absorption column specifications were adjusted. The phases
selected were vapor and liquid. The Wilson model was selected for simulation. The Wilson
model can describe strongly non-ideal liquid solutions.

Experimental procedure:
The flowsheet of the process is given below

The flowrate of the stream W entering was calculated by mass balance. Both the streams G and
W are entering at 250C and 1 bar pressure. The purpose of absorption column used is for
absorbing gases. The gas is introduced at the bottom of the column and the absorbing liquid
which is water, passes in at the top and falls down against the countercurrent of gas (absorbers
use a liquid solvent to separate impurities from gases).

Under the columns tab of the model palette, RADFRAC column was selected for absorber unit.
In the RADFRAC properties, 10 number of stages were selected and ensure the column has no
condenser or reboiler.

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In the Streams tab under the RADFRAC properties, we ensured that the solvent is entering the
column at the top (stage 1) and the gas is entering at the bottom of the column (in this case at
stage 10). Under product streams, we ensured that the liquid product stream is exiting the unit at
the bottom of the column (stage 10) and the vapor product is exiting the column at the top of the
column (stage 1).

For the distillation column the number of stages were also 10 and the condenser and reboiler
operated at 1 bar pressure.

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Results and Discussion
The results obtained from the simulation were very much similar to the calculated one. The
values of all the unknown streams were determined. The heat duties are determined and are
given below

The energy balance at this flow rate is given below

4
Net energy duty =6.571*10^4 cal/sec
Net energy duty =6.571*10^4*4.184 J/Sec
Net energy duty =282461/1000 KJ/Sec

Net energy duty =282.461 KJ/Sec

So the values of heat duties at the determined flow rate are 282.461 Kj/sec

Conclusion:
The method used here was Wilson method for the simulation of the process. The reason for
choosing the Wilson method as NRTL method was not giving results and Wilson method suited
better for vapor liquid system where NRTL is best suited for liquid-liquid model. The heat duties
are determined on the basis of inlet flow rate G so if the flow rate will change the heat duties will
vary. The streams results are G=1400 Kg/hr, W=158 Kg/hr, A= 1395.7 Kg/hr and F=
162.13Kg/hr, D= 34.85 Kg/hr and B= 127.98 kg/hr.