PONCHON-SAVARIT

METHOD FOR BINARY

DISTILLATION
 INTRODUCTION
Over the years, chemical engineers have used the Lewis-Sorel
method as well as the McCabe-Thieles method to determine the
number of theoretical plates needed in the design of distillation
columns. However, these methods, though reliable, were postulated
with a number of assumptions. These assumptions include;
1. The distillation column is well lagged and hence heat losses in
the column are negligible.
2. The system is ideal. Hence, no heat of mixing.
3. Molar heat of vaporisation is constant and independent of
composition.
4. Change in temperature from one plate to the next will be small.
5. There is constant vapour flow and constant liquid overflow in the
column.
It should be noted that the McCabe-Thiele method is one of the most
important concepts in chemical engineering and is an invaluable tool
for the solution of distillation problems. However, both McCabe-
Thiele and Lewis-Sorel method, fail to be useful under the following
conditions;
1. When there is varying overflow in non-ideal binary system.
2. When relative volatility is less than 1.3 (α < 1.3) or greater than
5 (α > 5).
3. When the reflux ratio, R is less than 1.1 times the minimum (R <
1.1𝑅𝑚 )
4. When the number of theoretical plates required is more than 25
( >25)
For the above four conditions, the Ponchon-Savarit method can be
used for solving complex problems associated with the separation of
binary mixtures in a distillation column.
 THEORY
Given a continuous distillation column as shown in figure 1 below,

FIG. 1: Continuous distillation column

The above distillation unit operates with a feed, F, of composition,𝑥𝑓 ,
and gives a top product, D, of composition 𝑥𝑑 , and a bottom product,
W of composition 𝑥𝑤 . In this analysis, the quantities in the stream V,
of rising vapour and L of reflux are given in mass units, such as kg/s.
and the composition of the streams in mass fractions, x referring to
the liquid and y to the vapour streams as usual.
Subscript n indicated the rectifying section and m, the stripping
section.
𝐻𝑉 and 𝐻𝐿 are the enthalpy per unit mass of a vapour and liquid
stream respectively.
𝑄𝐶 is the heat removed in the condenser
𝑄𝐵 is heat added to the reboiler.
No cooling of product is considered.
Taking heat and material balances for loop 1, we have;
Overall material balance for loop 1:
𝑉𝑛 = 𝐿𝑛+1 + 𝐷
𝑉𝑛 − 𝐿𝑛−1 = 𝐷 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(1)

MVC balance:
𝑉𝑛 𝑦𝑛 = 𝐿𝑛+1 𝑥𝑛+1 + 𝐷𝑥𝑑
𝑉𝑛 𝑦𝑛 − 𝐿𝑛+1 𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝐷𝑥𝑑 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (2)

Heat balance:
𝐿
𝑉𝑛 𝐻𝑛𝑉 = 𝐿𝑛+1 𝐻𝑛+1 + 𝐷𝐻𝑑𝐿 + 𝑄𝑐 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (3)

𝑄𝑐
𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐻𝑑′ = 𝐻𝑑𝐿 + 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (3), 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡
𝐷

𝐿
𝑉𝑛 𝐻𝑛𝑉 = 𝐿𝑛+1 𝐻𝑛+1 + 𝐷𝐻𝑑′ … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (4)

Solving equation (1) and (2) simultaneously, we have that

 𝐿𝑛+1 𝑥𝑑 − 𝑦𝑛
= … … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (5)
𝐷 𝑦𝑛 − 𝑥𝑛+1
Solving equation (1) and (3) simultaneously, we have that
𝐿𝑛+1 𝐻𝑑′ − 𝐻𝑛𝑉
= 𝑉 𝐿 … … … … … … … . 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(6)
𝐷 𝐻𝑛 − 𝐻𝑛+1

Equating equation (5) and (6), we have that

𝐻𝑑′ − 𝐻𝑛𝑉 𝑥𝑑 − 𝑦𝑛
= … … … … … … … . 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(7)
𝐻𝑛𝑉 − 𝐻𝑛+1
𝐿 𝑦𝑛 − 𝑥𝑛+1

Therefore, making 𝑦𝑛 the subject of the relation, we have

𝐻𝑑′ − 𝐻𝑛𝑉
𝑦𝑛 = [ " 𝐿
] 𝑥𝑛+1
𝐻𝑑 − 𝐻𝑛+1
𝐿
𝐻𝑛𝑉 + 𝐻𝑛+1
+[ " 𝐿
] 𝑥𝑑 . … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(8)
𝐻𝑑 − 𝐻𝑛+1
Equation (8) represents any operating line relating the composition of
the vapour 𝑦𝑛 rising from a plate to the composition of liquid reflux
entering the plate, or alternatively, it represents the relationship
between the components of the vapour and liquid streams between
any two plates
 FIG 2: Enthalpy-Composition chart for Ponchon-Savarit analysis

Having a similar series of equations of material and heat balances

below the feed plate, we have that
Overall material balance for loop 2:
𝑉𝑚 + 𝑊 = 𝐿𝑚+1
−𝑉𝑚 + 𝐿𝑚+1 = 𝑊 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(9)

MVC balance:
𝑉𝑚 𝑦𝑚 + 𝑊𝑥𝑤 = 𝐿𝑚+1 𝑥𝑚+1
−𝑉𝑚 𝑦𝑚 + 𝐿𝑚+1 𝑥𝑚+1 = 𝑊𝑥𝑤 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (10)
Heat balance:
𝑉 𝐿 𝐿
𝑉𝑚 𝐻𝑚 + 𝑊𝐻𝑤 = 𝐿𝑚+1 𝐻𝑚+1 + 𝑄𝐵 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (11)

𝑉 𝐿 𝐿
−𝑉𝑚 𝐻𝑚 + 𝐿𝑚+1 𝐻𝑚+1 = 𝑊𝐻𝑤 − 𝑄𝐵 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (12)

′ 𝐿
𝑄𝐵
𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐻𝑤 = 𝐻𝑤 − 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (12), 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡
𝑊

𝑉 𝐿 ′
−𝑉𝑚 𝐻𝑚 + 𝐿𝑚+1 𝐻𝑚+1 = 𝑊𝐻𝑤 … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (13)

Solving equation (9) and (10) simultaneously, we have that

𝐿𝑚+1 −𝑥𝑤 + 𝑦𝑚
= … … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (14)
𝑊 𝑦𝑚 − 𝑥𝑚+1
Solving equation (9) and (13) simultaneously, we have
′ 𝑉
𝐿𝑚+1 −𝐻𝑤 + 𝐻𝑚
= 𝑉 𝐿 … … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (15)
𝑊 𝐻𝑚 − 𝐻𝑚+1
Equating equation (14) and (15), we have that

′ 𝑉
−𝐻𝑤 + 𝐻𝑚 −𝑥𝑤 + 𝑦𝑚
𝑉 𝐿 = … … … … … … … . 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(16)
𝐻𝑚 − 𝐻𝑚+1 𝑦𝑚 − 𝑥𝑚+1

Therefore,
 ′ 𝑉
−𝐻𝑤 + 𝐻𝑚
𝑦𝑛 = [ 𝑉 𝐿 ] 𝑥𝑚+1
𝐻𝑚 − 𝐻𝑚+1
𝑉 𝐿
𝐻𝑚 + 𝐻𝑚+1
+[ " + 𝐻𝐿
] 𝑥𝑑 . … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(17)
−𝐻𝑤 𝑚+1

Equation (17) represents any operating line below the feed plate.
And it shows that all such lines pass through a common pole, M of
′
coordinates 𝑥𝑤 and 𝐻𝑤 .
 QUESTION ONE
It is desired to separate 1kg/s of an ammonia solution containing 30
percent 𝑁𝐻3 by mass into 99.5 percent liquid 𝑁𝐻3 and a residual weak
solution containing 10 percent 𝑁𝐻3 . Assuming the feed to be at its
boiling point, a column pressure of 1013KN/𝑚2 , a plate efficiency of
60 percent and that an 8 percent excess over the minimum reflux
requirements is used, how many plates must be used in the column
and how much heat is removed in the condenser and added in the
reboiler?
Equilibrium data for ammonia in water (mole percent ammonia)
x 0 2 5 10 20 30 40 50 80 90
y 0 12 30 56 80 92 97 98.2 99.6 99.8

Entalphy data (KJ/kmol)

H 0.34 0.18 0.09 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.12
(liquid)
H 1.18 1.16 1.09 0.98 0.84 0.75 0.64
(vapour)
x 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.0

SOLUTION
Taking material balance on the whole system
𝐷′ + 𝑊 ′ = 𝐹′
𝐷′ + 𝑊 ′ = 1 … … … … … … . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(1)
Taking material balance of the MVC
𝐹 ′ 𝑥𝑓 = 𝐷′ 𝑥𝑑 + 𝑊 ′ 𝑥𝑤
1 × 0.3 = 𝐷′ 0.995 + 0.1𝑊 ′ … … … … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(2)
Solving equation (1) and (2) simultaneously, we have
𝐷′ = 0.22𝑘𝑔/𝑠 𝑊 ′ = 0.78𝑘𝑔/𝑠
Use the tabulated values to draw the H-x chart and equilibrium curve
(y-x).
Now, at 𝑥𝑓 = 0.3, trace a vertical line to touch the y-x curve at C.
At C, y=0.92
Go to H-x chart and draw vertical line to touch the Dew point curve
at 𝑉3 . This represents the composition of the vapour leaving plate F.
Now, join F through 𝑉3 . and extend the line to touch line
x=𝑥𝑑 =0.995. This line is the tie-line and touches line 𝑥𝑑 . =0.995 at N,
This corresponds to the point of minimum reflux, 𝑁𝑚 .
Hence,
Assumption: W is a liquid at its boiling point
Minimum reflux ratio:
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑁𝑚 𝐴 0.805 − 0.645
𝑅𝑚 = =
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝐴𝐿 0.645 − 0.115

𝑅𝑚 = 0.3
But, actual reflux is 8% in excess of the minimum value.
Therefore,
𝑁𝐴 = 1.08𝑁𝑚 𝐴 = 1.08 × (0.805 − 0.645)
Actual reflux, length NA = 0.17
Point N = 0.17 + 0.645 (point A)
N = 0.8178 =0.82
With point N obtained, N = 0.82 on the H-x chart, point A(V1)
represents the vapour leaving the top plate (plate1) y = 0.995 ( Note
use y for vapour and x for liquid)
Go to y-x curve. Draw line y=0.995 to touch the curve at B. Draw
vertical line down to touch the x-axis. Hence, x=0.81
Go to H-x chart, draw vertical line to touch the boiling point line at L1.
Draw line from L1 to N. this cuts the dew point line at V2. Draw vertical
line down, this is the point y = 0.96 (note again, y is used because it is
a vapour).
In actual fact, the H-x plot is actually an H-xy plot because it has the x
axis below and the y axis above, but they both coincide so that y=1
directly superimposes on x=1

y
0 1

Now, go to y-x curve and draw line y=0.961 to touch the curve at D.
0 x
At D, x = 0.38.
Go to H-x chart, draw vertical line to touch L2.
Join L2 to N. this line cuts at V3. Point M is gotten by extending line
𝑁𝑚 𝑉3 𝐹 to touch the line x=xw = 0.1
Now, join M to N to get the actual L3, point L3 has x already below xf
and that is equal to 0.3, thus, we switch (i.e. instead of joining L3 to N
to cut dew point line in order to get V4, we join, L3 to M, then project
it to dew point line to get V4).
At v4, y =0.91. Go to y-x curve, draw line y =0.91 to touch curve at E.
At E, x = 0.29.
Go to H-x chart, draw x= 0.29, to touch L4, join M to L4 and extend to
touch V5.
At V5, y = 0.89. Go to y-x curve, draw line y = 0.89 to touch curve at G.
At G, x = 0.27, go to H-x chart, draw x = 0.27 to touch L5.
Draw line from M through L5 to touch V6
At V6, y = 0.83. Draw line y = 0.83 to touch point H on y-x curve.
At H, x = 0.22. Draw x = 0.22 to touch Lt6 on the H-x chart.
Draw line from M through L6 to touch V7.
At V7, y = 0.64, so draw line y = 0.64 to touch point I on the y-x curve.
At I, x = .013, so draw line x = 0.13 to touch L7 on H-x chart.
Draw line from M through L7 to touch V8.
At V8, y = 0.23, so draw line y = 0.23 to touch point J on y-x curve.
At J, x = 0.03, which is slightly weaker than Xw = 0.1. So we stop the
process.
Now, go to h-x chart and draw line x =0.1 from M to touch L8. join L8
to V8, L7 to V7, L6 to V6, L5 to V5, and so on to get the tie-lines, T8 to
T1. Now from L1 to L8 there are 8 points, and the last point L8
corresponds to the reboiler and hence not counted.
Hence, the number of theoretical plates is found, as on the diagram,
to be 7+

But,
Efficiency = 60%
The number of plates to be provided = 7/0.6
= 11.67, say 12 plates.
Feed is introduced just below the 3rd ideal plate from the top, or just
below the 5th actual plate from the top.
The heat input at the boiler per unit mass of bottom product is given
𝑄𝐵
by
𝑊

Recall:

′ 𝐿
𝑄𝐵
𝐻𝑤 = 𝐻𝑤 −
𝑊
From H-xy chart
𝐿 ′
𝐻𝑤 = 0.25𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑤 = −0.06𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑄𝐵 𝐿 ′
= 𝐻𝑤 − 𝐻𝑤 = (0.25 – (-0.06)
𝑊

=0.31KJ/kg
But 𝑊 ′ = 0.78𝐾𝑔/𝑠
The heat input to the boiler = (0.31 × 0.78)
= 0.24KW

Condenser Duty
From the chart, 𝐻𝑑′ = 0.82𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔, 𝐻𝑑𝐿 = 0.150𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑄𝑐
Recall: 𝐻𝑑′ = 𝐻𝑑𝐿 +
𝐷
𝑄𝑐
= 𝐻𝑑′ − 𝐻𝑑𝐿 = (0.82 – 0.105)
𝐷
𝑄𝑐
= 0.72𝐾𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝐷

But D = 0.22Kg/s
⸫ 𝑄𝑐 = 0.72 × 𝐷 = 0.72 × 0.22
𝑄𝑐 = 0.16KJ