PLANT DESIGN

Assignment

Relation between Reflux Ratio & No. of Plates

Absar Baig
7/5/2019
Relation between Reflux Ratio & No. of Plates Required
We have seen that, for a given reflux ratio, and using the McCabe-Thiele method,
one can determine the number of theoretical trays required for a given separation.
Generally it is seen that, both increasing the number of plates and the reflux ratio
improves the separation.
The McCabe-Thiele approach is a graphical one, and uses the VLE plot to determine
the theoretical number of stages required to effect the separation of a binary
mixture. For a given separation (i.e. constant xD and xB) from a given feed condition
(xF and q), using a higher reflux ratio (R) will results in lesser number of theoretical
trays (N) required, and vice versa. In other words, there are many possible
combination of reflux ratio R and number of theoretical trays, N.
Reflux Ratio = Flow returned as Reflux____
Flow of top product taken off
Design Illustrated

The rectifying operating line slope depends on R. Therefore, the number of stages
required for a given separation depends on R. The amount of reflux lies somewhere
between the two extremes of total reflux and minimum reflux. Total Reflux means
all condensate is returned, no product is taken off and no feed added. All vapour is
condensed and returned as liquid, Minimum number of plates required. Minimum
Reflux means reducing R requires more stages to achieve the separation. Minimum
reflux happens when the intersection of the operating lines lies on the equilibrium
curve. Min Reflux happens when the two operating lines intersect on equilibrium
curve.

Optimum Reflux Ratio

Increase R means that Diameter gets bigger Since D = fn (V, L) and No. of Plates gets
smaller.
Increasing R means less number of plates, but also more boiling and condensing.

Below is the graphical representation of higher R with lower N:

We can see that higher the reflux ratio, lower will be the No. of plates required.

Decreasing R means more number of plates BUT also less boiling and condensing.
This is shown as below.
Change in slope means less or more stages. As R increases the slope approaches 1.
More MVC returned to the column. Less material is removed as distillate.
Separation improves, fewer trays needed As R is decreased, the slope decreases
towards the equilibrium line. A ‘pinch’ between operating and equilibrium lines
becomes more pronounced and more and more trays are required.