Binary Distillation of Methanol - Water

MixtureCHME 401: Summer Term 2012Abstract

An eight tray distillation column was run under steady state conditions at total
reflux as well as at anexternal reflux ratio of 3:1. Temperature, flow, and
composition data were collected to establish if thecolumn can achieve a distillate
composition of 98 mole percent purity when a binary mixture of methanoland water
is distilled. Neither reflux method reached this goal, with experimental distillate
compositionsof 97.92 and 61.30 mole percent for total and partial reflux,
respectively. In order to achieve a 98 molepercent purity, five theoretical trays are
needed for total reflux, and seven for partial reflux ratio of 3:1. Inthe ensuing report,
a high reflux ratio as well as an increased number of trays is recommended for
theoperation of the distillation column.
Introduction
Distillation is an ancient method for separating two or more liquids with differing
volatilities. It is anessential method for a plethora of commercial and industrial
markets, with one of the largest beingalcohol. A separation by distillation relies on
the boiling points, (volatilities), of the liquids involved.Simply put, if a mixture is
boiling, the vapor phase will be richer in the lower boiling point, or morevolatile
liquid. Simultaneously, the liquid phase of the mixture will be richer in the higher
boiling point,or less volatile liquid. Industrial distillation columns are built to
maximize this phenomenon, utilizingseveral trays upon which the liquid and vapor
are allowed to interact intimately. A simple distillationcolumn consists of a reboiler
at the bottom of the column, a stripping section above, then a feed, then
anenriching section with a condenser following at the top. In order to size a
distillation column anddetermine its efficiency, several equations are needed. These
include (1) an overall mass balance, (2) anoverall component balance, (3) an
enriching section operating line, (4) an equation to relate the feedconditions, (qline), (5) an equation for overall efficiency, and (6) an equation for the
individualefficiency of the trays:
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)
Where F is the flow rate of the feed, D is the flow rate of the distillate, W is the flow
rate of the wash orbottoms product, xF is the feed liquid composition, xD is the
distillate liquid composition, x W is the washliquid composition, R is the external
reflux ratio, q is the quotient of the heat needed to vaporize 1 mol of feed at
entering conditions and the molar latent heat of vaporization of feed, E0 is the
overall efficiency of the column, the theoretical number of stages is determined
graphically by McCabe-Thiele method, E M isthe Murphree tray efficiency, xn is the
liquid composition at tray n, xn+1 is the liquid composition of thetray above tray n,
and x*n is the hypothetical liquid concentration that should be in equilibrium with
thevapor composition at tray n, yn.In order to find the theoretical number of stages
required for a separation, a McCabe-Thiele diagram mustbe produced. This is done
by plotting equilibrium data for the mixture, the y=x line, the enriching line,and the
q-line. Once this is done, the stripping line can be plotted, which connects the point
of intersection of the enriching line and the q-line with the point of intersection of
the y=x line and the washcomposition. The final procedure is to draw a horizontal
line from where the distillate compositionintersects the y=x line to the equilibrium
data line, then a vertical line down to enriching/stripping line,then back horizontally
to the equilibrium line, and then back vertically down to the enriching/strippingline
again. This process is continued until the final vertical line corresponds to a lower
composition thanthe wash. The theoretical number of stages is then the number of
"steps" needed to surpass the washcomposition