Material Balance

Lecture by :
Ir. Dewi Tristantini MT. PhD.
University of Indonesia

Definition
Materials Balance analysis (MB) is a
systematic reconstruction of the way
in which a chemical element, a
compound or material passes through
a natural cycle and/or its economical
benefits. An analysis of the material
flow, usually is based on the origin of a
physical balance.
German investigation Committe, 1993

Uses
day to day operation of process for
monitoring operating efficiency
Making calculations for design and
development of a process i.e.
quantities required, sizing
equipment, number of items of
equipment

Basic Knowledge
BASIS
The basis is the reference chosen for the
calculations in any particular problems. A
proper choice of basis frequently makes
the problem much easier to solve.
For selecting a suitable basis, ask
yourself the following questions:
1. What do I have to start with?
2. What answer is called for?
3. What is the most convinient basis to
use?

Basic Knowledge
CHEMICAL EQUATION AND STOICHIMETRY
Chemical
equation
provides
both
qualitative and quantitative information
essential for the calculation of the
combining moles of materials involved in
a chemical process.
Stoichiometry: quantitative relation ship
between reactants and products.
Stoichiometric ratios: ratios obtained
from the numerical coefficients in the
chemical equation.

Basic Knowledge
CHEMICAL EQUATION AND STOICHIMETRY
Chemical
equation
provides
both
qualitative and quantitative information
essential for the calculation of the
combining moles of materials involved in
a chemical process.
Stoichiometry: quantitative relationship
between reactants and products.
Stoichiometryc ratios: ratios obtained
from the numerical coefficients in the
chemical equation.

Basic Knowledge

Basic Knowledge

Example

Antimony is obtained by heating pulverized

stibnite (Sb2S3) with scrap iron and drawing off
the molten antimony from the bottom of
reaction vessel.
Sb2S3 + 3Fe 2Sb + 3FeS
Suppose that 0.600 kg of stibnite and 0.250 kg
of iron turnings is heated together to give 0.200
kg of Sb metal. Determine:
a. The limiting reactant
b. The percentage of excess reactant
c. The degree of completion (fraction)
d. The percent conversion
e. The yield

Solution

Solution

Solution

Its Very Simple Right ? =)

Just Like a Piece of Cake =)

Now Lets See The Real Mass Balance

Calculation

Material Balance
Conservation mass principle is used because it indicates

that:
Input Material = Output Material

whereas :

Units of measurements given in kg or moles or m 3 per

time

Flow diagram
Graphic interpretation of the materials flows.
It shows volumes, proportions, ecological
relevance among other characteristics.
Indicate the sequence or steps of the
productive process.

Example 1: Input and Output diagram

Water

Raw material

Energy

Auxiliary materials

Unit
Operation

Product
(expected)
byproduct
(usable)

Waste

Waste easily
assimilated by
the
environment

Inert waste
always available

toxic/dangerous
waste

Examples of Input and Output

Raw
materials

Gaseous emissions

Catalyst

Plant, Process
or Unit
Operation

Air/Water
Energy

Recycle

Products
By-products

Wastewater
Liquid waste

Reusable residues in other

operation

Solid waste

Examples of the Flow

Diagram Usage

Mass balance
filtration/centrifuge
wash water/solvent

solid

feed suspension

waste
water

filtrate

Filtration

5000 kg DM water

F1
Impurity 55 kg
Water 2600 kg
API 450 kg

Water 300
kg
API 448 kg
Impurity 5
Water 7300 kg
kg
Impurity 50 kg
API 2kg

Mass balance - drier

water/evaporated solvent

product
feed
water/evaporated solvent
+ dried material

Mass balance
extraction/phase split

A+B

A+B

S+B

A = feed solvent; B = solute; S = extracting solvent

Mass balances multiple

units
Overall balance
Unit balances
Component balances

Multiple units
W2

F1

P3

R4

E = evaporator; C = crystalliser; F=filter unit

F1 = fresh feed; W2=evaporated water; P3 = solid product;
R4 = recycle of saturated solution from filter unit

Mass balance procedures

1.
2.
3.
4.

Process description
Flowsheet
Label
Assign algebraic symbols to unknowns
(compositions, concentrations, quantities)
5. Select basis
6. Write mass balance equations (overall,
total, component, unit)
7. Solve equations for unknowns

Problems
PROBLEMS
1.
A cereal product containing 55% water is made at the rate
of 500 kg/hr. You need to dry the product so that it contains
only 30% water. How much water has to be evaporated per
hour?
2.

To prepare a solution of 50.0% sulfuric acid, a dilute waste

acid containing 28.0% H2SO4 is fortified with a purchased acid
containing 96.0% H2SO4 . How many kilograms of the
purchased acid must be bought for each 100 kg of dilute acid?

3.

An aqueous etching solution containing 8.8% KI is to be

prepared to etch gold in printed circuit boards. The desired
solution is to be formed by combining a strong solution (12%
KI and 3% I2 in H2O) with a weak solution (2.5% KI and 0.625%
I2 in H2O)
What should be the value of R, the ratio of the weights of the
strong to the weak solution, to make up the desired etching
solution? What will be the concentration of I2 in the final
solution?