Continuous Distillation

Multi-Stage Distillation with

(Fractionation \Rectification)

McCabe Thiele Method

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 Multi-Stage Distillation with Reflux

Continuous multi-stage columns consist of

Vertical shell, internal trays/plates, a reboiler
to boil the liquid exiting the bottom of the
column (thus return vapor to the column), a
condenser to cool and condense the vapor
leaving the top, and a reflux drum to hold
the condensed vapor (and thus return liquid
to the top of the column).

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 McCabe Thiele Method
Constant Molar Overflow is the assumption that
all liquid (L) and vapor (V) flows (on a molar
basis) in the rectifying section are constant and
that all liquid (Lm) and vapor (Vm) flows (on a
molar basis) in the stripping section are constant
(but not the same as those in the rectifying section
Symbolically this means we take the following
relations to be true:
L1=L2=...=Ln=L , V1=V2=...=Vn=V
L m=Lm+1== , Vm=Vm+1= =

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 Assumption :Constant molar flow
1.The two components have equal and constant molar
enthalpies of vaporization .
2. Component sensible-enthalpy changes (CpT) and
similarly, heat of mixing are negligible compared to
latent heat changes.
3. The column is well insulated so that heat loss is
negligible.
4. The pressure is uniform throughout the column (no
pressure drop).
Rectifying Section Operating line:

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Material Balance:
Vn+1 = Ln +D
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Stripping Section Operating line

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M.B L\ =V\ +B
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EXAMPLE 4-1. Stage-by-stage calculations by the Lewis method
A steady-state countercurrent, staged distillation column is to be used to
separate ethanol from water. The feed is a 30 wt % ethanol, 70 wt % water
mixture that is a saturated liquid at 1 atm pressure. Flow rate of feed is 10,000
kg/hr. The column operates at a pressure of 1 atm. The reflux is returned as a
saturated liquid.
A reflux ratio of L /D = 3.0 is being used. We desire a bottoms composition
of xB = 0.05 (weight fraction ethanol) and a distillate composition of xD = 0.80
(weight fraction ethanol). The system has a total condenser and a partial
reboiler. The column is well insulated.
Use the Lewis method to find the number of equilibrium contacts required
if the feed is input on the second stage from the top.
 Liquid to Feed ratio q

q= (Hv-Hf / )
 Feed Conditions

q = 0 (saturated vapor)
q = 1 (saturated liquid)
0 < q < 1 (mix of liquid and vapor)
q > 1 (sub cooled liquid)
q < 0 (superheated vapor)

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 Feed Tray

= +
=
--------------------------------------------------------
= ( + )
 Feed equation
But
= +
Lm-Ln =qF
Vn-Vm=(1-q)F
Feed equation
( ) ( + )
=
( ) ( )
 Total Column
V1
Component Mass Balance
QC Condenser

1 Overall
Recycle, L0 Distillate, D, xD
V2 L1 F xF = D xD + B xB
Feed
VNF LNF-1 Rectifying section
F, xf
NF yn+1= Ln/Vn+1 xn + D/Vn+1xD
VNF+1 LNF y = [R/(R+1)] x + [1/(R+1)]xD
VNP LNP-1
Vapor boilup VNP+1
Stripping section
NP
QR Reboiler ym+1= Lm/Vm+1 xm - B/Vm+1xB

Bottom product, B, xB

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Mc-cabe Theil Method to Calculate the Theoretical
Number of Stages

1. Draw the equilibrium curve.

2. Locate the feed, distillate product, and

bottoms product compositions on the
diagonal line.
3. Draw the q line, based on the condition of
feed, starting with the feed composition on
the diagonal.
5. Draw the upper operating line, starting with
the distillate composition on the diagonal and
using a slope determined from the selected
reflux ratio.
6. Draw the lower operating line, starting with
the bottoms composition on the diagonal and
connecting with the point of intersection of
the q line and the upper operating line.
7. Step off the theoretical stages, changing
operating lines at the feed stage.
Min. Number of Stages (Total Reflux)
Minimum Reflux Ratio
Operating Reflux Ratio
Open steam heating
Thanks

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