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Simple Distillation Model
Introduction
This spreadsheet is a simple distillation that cna be used to investigate the effect of design parameters on
distillation performance. The calculation method uses a number of simplifying assumptions and should not be
used in detailed design
It is recommended that the user first reads the 'How to Use These Calculation' worksheet before starting a
calculation.
Revision
Rev. 1 Initial issue 22-Sep-11
Disclaimer: This calculation provides a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design purposes only. We cannot be
held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simple Distillation Model
Revision 1
See 'How to use these Calculation' worksheet for notes on its use.
Cells in Green, with bold Text, to be completed by user - blue cells give calculated output
Calculation Title:
Distillate
Total Molar Flowrate
100.0 kmol/h
Mole fraction Benzene
Total number of 0.70
Trays Reflux Ratio Mole fraction Toluene
10 (Mole Basis) 0.30
0.5
Feed
Feed Flow 100.0 kmol/h
Feed Quality Vapour Feed
Feed Tray
Feed Composition 6
Component 1 ERROR Messages
Benzene
Component 1 Mole Fraction
0.70
Component 2
Toluene
Component 2 Mole Fraction
0.30
Bottom Product
Total Molar Flowrate
0.0 kmol/h
Mole fraction Benzene
0.00
Mole fraction Toluene
1.00
Condenser
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held
responsible for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
1 It is a binary system - i.e. there are only two components in the mixture.
2 The two components are ideal, with a constant relative volatility. There is a constant molar overflow in the
column as the two components have the same molar latent heat of evaporation and there are no heat losses
or heat of mixing.
3 The plates are 100% efficient - each plate can be considered as one theoretical plate.
The assumptions underpinning the model are discussed in more detail in the Theory Worksheet.
Boxes shaded light green, with text in bold, require a user input.
Boxes shaded light blue give a calculated output. An error message is displayed if the user
attempts to overwrite the calculated value.
The number of the feed tray cannot be greater than the total number of trays - the spreadsheet will display
an error message if the user tries to do this.
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process
engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
The concept of relative volatility is discussed in more detail in the Theory Worksheet and is also discussed
via the following link:
Relative Volatility
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process
engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
Many of the input cells are limited to certain values. For example, the component mole fractions must be
between 0 and 1. If the user attempts to input a value outside the acceptable range, the spreadsheet will
alert the user.
When the user first inputs values into the spreadsheet, an error message will be displayed that the
calculation has not converged. To converge the calculation, activate the macro (CTRL+Q).
The spreadsheet will also alert the user if parts of the column have a vapour or liquid flow below zero. If
this occurs, the user should adjust one, or more, of the following: feed quality, reflux ratio, distillate molar
flowrate.
Finally, the spreadsheet will warn the user if the Distillate flow is greater than the Feed flow - a situation
which is clearly not feasible.
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible for its use. As with all areas of process
engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
CALCULATION THEORY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This spreadsheet is a simplified model of a distilation which can be used to study the impact of design parameters
on distillation performance. It is for use as a preliminary design tool only and should not be used to for the detailed
specification of a distillation column.
Binary System
The number of equations required to solve a distillation model increases dramatically as the number of components
increases. Therefore, to minimise complexity, the model is based on a binary system (i.e. Only two components).
Heat Balance
To reduce the number of equations still further, the heat balance is ignored. This means that the model does not
predict operating temperatures in the column. To allow the heat balance to be ignored, the following assumptions
are made to the model:
i. The latent heat of vaporisation for both components is the same. As a consequence, the vapour and liquid
flows in both the rectifying and stripping sections of the column remain constant.
ii. The feed flow is assumed to be at its boiling point - either saturated vapour, saturated liquid or a mix of
vapour and liquid. Sub-cooled liquid or superheated vapour feeds are not permitted.
Stage Efficiency
Liquid entrainment in the vapour, weepage of liquid through the vapour perforations in the plate, as well as other
imperfections, mean that plates in real distillation columns are not 100% efficient. These effects are ignored in the
model.
i. The Rectifying (Top) Section of the Distillation Column - this is the part of the distillation column above the
feed plate, including the condenser.
ii. The Enriching (Bottom) Section of the Distillation Column - this is the part of the distillation column below
the feed plate, including the reboiler.
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible
for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
The reflux flow sets the liquid flow down the Rectifying Section of the Column.
Where:
Reflux Flow - Reflux molar flow returning to the column from the condenser, kmol/h
L_Rectifying - Liquid molar flow down the Rectifying Section of the Column, kmol/h
D - Distillate molar flow leaving the column as product, kmol/h
R - Molar Reflux Ratio (Dimensionless)
The vapour flow up the Rectifying Section of the column is set by the vapour flow up the stripping section plus the
vapour fraction of the feed flow into the column.
Where:
V_Rectifying - Vapour molar flow down the Rectifying Section of the Column, kmol/h
F - Feed molar flow into the Column, kmol/h
Quality - Feed Quality (Dimensionless)
V_Stripping - Vapour molar flow down the Stripping Section of the Column, kmol/h
The feed quality is set by the user when they define the feed. If a liquid feed is specified, there is no feed
contribution to the vapour flow in the rectifying section of the column (Quality = 1). If a vapour feed is specified,
all the feed flows up the rectifying section (Quality =0). If a mixed feed is specified, half of the feed flows up the
rectifying section of the column (Quality = 0.5).
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible
for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
As the Feed flow and Distillate flow is set by the user, the Bottom product flow, B, (in kmol/h) can be calculated:
The liquid flow up the Stripping Section of the column is set by the liquid flow down the rectifying section plus the
liquid fraction of the feed flow into the column.
Where:
L_Stripping - Liquid molar flow down the Stripping Section of the Column, kmol/h
The vapour flow up the distillation column is the quantity of vapour generated by the reboiler. In the mass balance
it is the difference between the liquid flow down the stripping section and the bottom product.
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible
for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.
www.myChemE.com
Simplified Distillation Model Revision 1
2. Calculate the vapour mole fraction, y, of component 2, using relatively volatility - see Equation 6.
.x
y = Equation (6)
x]
3. Perform a molar balance for component 1 over each the stage. This is a calculation of the molar flow
entering and leaving the stage. For the feed tray, the molar balance considers the component feed flow
onto the tray.
4 If the molar flows onto and off the tray do not balance, the macro re-adjusts the tray liquid mole fraction.
The model is solved when the mole fractions on each stage is balanced.
Disclaimer: This calculation is a simplified model of a distillation column for preliminary design. We cannot be held responsible
for its use. As with all areas of process engineering, calculations should be checked by a competent engineer.