SAMPLE PROBLEM #17:

A total feed of 200 mol/h having an overall

composition of 42 mol % heptane and 58 mol %
ethyl benzene is to be fractionated at 101.3 kPa
pressure to give a distillate containing 97 mol %
heptane and a bottoms containing 1.1 mol %
heptane.
The feed enters the tower partially
vaporized so that 40 mol % is liquid and 60
mol % vapor.

Calculate the following:

(a) Moles per hour of distillate and bottoms.
(b) Minimum reflux ratio Rm.
(c) Minimum steps and theoretical trays at total
reflux.
(d) Theoretical number of trays required for an
operating reflux ratio of 2.5:1.

Equilibrium data are given below at 101.32 kPa abs

pressure for the mole fraction h-heptane xH and yH:

Temperature
K

409.3
402.6
392.6
383.8
376.0
371.5

136.1
129.4
119.4
110.6
102.8
098.3

xH

yH

0.000
0.080
0.250
0.485
0.790
1.000

0.000
0.230
0.514
0.730
0.904
1.000

SOLUTION

total
condenser
L0

200 mol/h
F
(q = 0.4)
xF = 0.42

Distilling
column
101.3 kPa
abs

R = 2.5

partial
reboiler

D
xD = 0.97

B
xB = 0.011

D, B = ?
Rmin = ?
ntheo at (R = ), nmin = ?
ntheo at (R= 2.5)
Solve for the y-intercept for the rectifying operating line
xD
R
y n1
xn
R 1
R 1
xD
0.97

0.277
R 1 2 .5 1

Solve for the slope of the feed line

q
0. 4
q-line slope

0.67
q 1 0 .4 1

Plotting the McCabe-Thiele diagram

4
5

nF = 7

6
7

8
9
10
11

n = 11.3
xB

xF

xD

Doing the material balances

Total balance
F = 200 = D + B
More volatile component balance
xFF = xDD + xBB
0.42(200) = 0.97D + 0.011B
Solving these two equations
D = 85.3 mols/h
B = 114.7 mols/h

Solving for Rmin

y-int for Rm = 0.36

xB
xD
y-int of rectifying line =
R 1
0.97
0.36
Rm 1

xF

xD
Rm = 1.7

Solving for nmin

2

3
4

6
7

Nmin = 7.5
xB

xF

N = 7.5 = theoretical trays + reboiler = n + 1

n = 6.5 theoretical trays

xD

SUMMARY

nF = 7, n = 11.3
D = 85.3 mols/h and B 114.7 mols/h
Rmin = 1.7
ntheo = 6.5