Column Distillation: Internal Stage-byStage Balances

Enriching or
Rectifying Section
Feed Stage
Stripping Section

Figure 3-6

Column Distillation
Internal Stage-by-Stage
Mass and Energy Balances
As the name implies, a stage-by-stage
balance is done by considering the balances
around each stage in the column.
We utilize the total and component mass
balances, an energy balance, as well as the
equilibrium relationship at each stage.
We will start at the top of column with the
enriching section
2

Column Distillation
Internal Stage-by-Stage
Mass and Energy Balances
1. Start at the top
2. Write balances and equilibrium relationships for

first stage
3. Determine unknown variables for first stage
4. Write balances and equilibrium relationships for

second stage utilizing variables that were just

computed
5. Proceed down the column in a stage-by-stage

fashion until you reach the bottom

3

QC

QC

L0

Partial
Condenser

V1

L0

Partial
Condenser

L1

Stage 1

L2

Stage 2

L3

Stage 3

V1

L1

Stage 1

V2

V2

L2

Stage 2

V3

V3
L3

V31
Lj
Vj1

Stage 3

V31
Lj

Stage j
Vj1

Stage j

V j 1 L j D
V j 1 y j 1 L j x j Dx D
Q C V j 1 H j 1 L j h j Dh D

Mass and Energy Balances

Enriching Section and Partial Condenser

Mass and Energy Balances

Symmetry

Input
Vj+1 and Qc

Output
Lj and D

Total vs Partial Condenser

Note that the previous envelopes included the
partial condenser in the stage-by-stage
balances as equivalent to an equilibrium stage.
Consequently, the partial condenser is included
as stage 0 and j = 0 is the starting indices.
If we have a total condenser, our mass and
energy balances simply start at Stage 1 and j
= 1 is our starting indices.
7

QC

Total
Condenser

QC

Total
Condenser

L0

L0

V1

V1
L1

Stage 1

V2

L1

Stage 1

L2

Stage 2

L3

Stage 3

V2

L2

Stage 2

V3

V3
L3

V31
Lj
Vj1

Stage 3

Stage j

V31
Lj

Stage j

Vj1

Mass and Energy Balances

Enriching Section and Total Condenser

Proceed to first stage:

Balance
equations

Equilibrium
relationships

10

6 unknowns

Determine:

6 equations

L1, V2, x1, y2, h1, H2

11

Proceed to second stage:

Balance
equations

Equilibrium
relationships

12

6 unknowns

Determine:

6 equations

L2, V3, x2, y3, H3, h2

13

For a general stage above feed stage:

Balance
equations

Equilibrium
relationships

14

6 unknowns

6 equations

Determine: Lj, Vj+1, xj, yj+1, Hj+1, hj

15

The balance envelopes in the stripping section

for a column with a partial reboiler
The bars over flow rates signify that
they are in the stripping section

Fig. 4-2. Stripping section balance envelopes; (A) below feed

stage (stage f + 1), (B) stage k, (C) partial reboiler
16

Stage immediately below

feed plate: stage f+1

Balance
equations

Equilibrium
relationships
17

6 unknowns

6 equations

Determine: Lf, Vf+1, xf, yf+1, Hf+1, hf

xB specified
B and QR are determined from column balances
18

For a general stage below

feed stage: stage k

Balance
equations

Equilibrium
relationships
19

A partial reboiler as shown in Figure 4-2C acts as an

Fig. 4-2C
equilibrium contact.
If we consider the reboiler as stage N + 1, the
balances for the envelope shown in Figure 4-2C can
be obtained by setting k = N + 1 and k 1 = N
If xN+1 = xB, the N + 1 equilibrium contacts gives us
exactly the specified separation, and the problem is
finished.
If xN+1 < xB while xN > xB, the N + 1 equilibrium contacts
gives slightly more separation than is required.
20

Binary stage-by-stage solution methods

Solve 6 equations (3 balance equations + 3
equilibrium relationships) simultaneously

Sorel (1893): trial and error

These methods all solve the complete mass and energy balance and
equilibrium relationships stage by stage.

Ponchon (1921) & Savarit (1922): graphical resolution

21

An Assumption

The previous mass balance and energy balance equations can be solved
simultaneously to obtain a complete determination of the internal streams
and their composition at each stage.

Note that with respect to mass balances, we have V j+1 and yj+1 and Lj and xj
that would need to be determined for each stage j.

In general, the Ljs vary along the column, as well as the Vj+1s.

Thus, one would have to solve a large number of equations with an equal
number of unknowns for all of the stages, including all of the Vj+1s and Ljs.

An assumption that minimizes the number of unknowns is that the total

molar flow rates, Vj+1 and Lj, do not vary greatly for each stage.

This assumption is known as the Constant Molar Overflow (CMO)

assumption.
22

Lewis (1922)
Lewis (1922) noted that in many cases the molar vapor and liquid
flow rates in each section (a region between input and output ports)
were constant.

V1 =

When 1 mole of vapor is condensed then 1 mole of liquid is vaporized

23

Constant Molar Overflow (CMO)

Assumption Enriching Section

If we assume that for every mole of liquid that vaporizes at an

equilibrium stage, an equivalent amount of vapor condenses, then the
Ljs are constant and the Vj+1s are constant in the column.

We can then rewrite the component mass balance as:

24

CMO Assumption
When is it Valid?

Note that by being able to express the liquid flow rate to the vapor flow rate as
L/V provides an even greater validity to using CMO since any non-idealities in
CMO for both L and V will tend to cancel each other due to their ratio.

The CMO assumption is valid when:

1.) The components have constant molar latent heats, is.
2.) Enthalpy changes, His and his, compared to latent heat changes are
negligible.
3.) The column is well insulated or adiabatic, Qcol = 0.
4.) The pressure is uniform throughout the column (P col = 0).

The CMO assumption is most valid for separations of like components, e.g.,
hydrocarbons of relatively the same length and branching.

Most columns are well insulated to minimize heat loss and the stage traying is
designed to minimize pressure drop both for economic reasons to minimize
operating costs.

25

26

H, h

H(y)
=constant

h(x)
x,y

27

CMO assumption
Energy balance automatically satisfied

28

CMO Assumption
Another Advantage
Another advantage by assuming CMO is that
we decouple the mass and energy balances
we do not have to know the enthalpies at
each stage since the CMO assumption, along
with the equilibrium relationship, fixes the
relationship between vapor and liquid.
Note that enthalpies will still need to be used to
determine the condenser and reboiler duties,
QC and QR.
29

Constant Molar Overflow (CMO)

Assumption Enriching Section

If we assume that for every mole of liquid that vaporizes at an

equilibrium stage, an equivalent amount of vapor condenses, then the
Ljs are constant and the Vj+1s are constant in the column.

We can then rewrite the component mass balance as:

30

One more look at the CMO Equation

We can drop the indices from the CMO equation for
the enriching section by noting that the vapor and
liquid compositions, yj+1 and xj, represent the vapor
and liquid compositions at equilibrium at stage j.

It should now look somewhat familiar

31

A Similarity

Note, that just as the operating line for flash distillation

was derived from the mass balances, so was the CMO
equation for the enriching section of a distillation
column.
The CMO equation is simply an operating line for the
enriching section of a distillation column!
32

Enriching Section Operating Line

The enriching section operating line (OL) for a distillation column

(assuming CMO) is a linear equation with:
slope
y-intercept

L/V
(D/V)xD

Note that the L/V ratio for the enriching section of a distillation column will
always be less than one, L/V < 1, since there will be a greater amount of
vapor than liquid in the enriching section, which is above the feed stream.

33

Alternative Enriching OL
Liquid to Vapor Ratio

34

Alternative Enriching OL
Reflux Ratio

35

Enriching Section OL
and y = x Intersection

36

Distillation Column
Enriching Section Operating Line

37

Column balance

B and D

Reflux ratio is specified

L and V

y1 known

Equilibrium
relationship

x1 known
Operating line

Proceed until the feed stage

y2 known
38

Feed quality

Feed can be saturated vapor (q=0),

saturated liquid (q=1) or a
two-phase mixture (1>q>0)

39