DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN,

BENIN CITY.

GROUP 1 PRESENTATION

REFLUX RATIO AND EFFECTS OF REFLUX

RATIO ON DISTILLATION COLUMN

SUPERVISED BY: MRS OSSAI J.E.

DATE: 13TH MAY, 2019.

GROUP MEMBERS
NAMES MAT. NO
1.OSAZUWA EGHOSA GODSTIME ENG1503537
2.ONORIODE ITEDJIRE WISDOM ENG1503530
3.ONOWISE SAMUEL USIWO ENG1503531
4.UMUNNEGBULEM LEONARD ENG1503544
5. ANIEROBI.I. RITA ENG1503489
6. AFOEDOZIE JUDE C. ENG1503478
7. SEDI PATRICK ENG1503540
8. ONYEKA PRECIOUS U. ENG1503543
9. ENOMA ANITA ENG1503496
10. EDEBGE REDEMPTION ENG1503492
11.CHIME JOSEPH ENG1507717
12.NWOKOH LUCKY ENG1503515
13.ORJI IFEANYI CHRISTIAN ENG1503534
14. EWEKA OMOESE PRINCE ENG1403373
15.IWUCHUKWU STEVENSON ENG1303247
16. IMADE MIRACLE ENG1603795
17.OBASOHAN AIZENOSA ENG1503516
18.ISESELE VICTOR ENG1507721
19. OLAYOGBE OLUWASEGUN ENG1507726
20.ONYIA HENRY ENG1503532
21. USMAN FAUZAN ENG1603844
22.IZIOKHAI HILARY OMONKHOSEN ENG1507722
23.EHIMWENMA GORETTI OSARIEME ENG1503494
24. MONDAY PAUL A. ENG1503511
25. SEGI PAUL ENG1503541
26. OGULO EMMANUEL C. ENG1305159
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THEORY/MATHEMATICAL PROOFS

3. EFFECTS OF REFLUX RATIO

4. EXAMPLES/CALCULATIONS

5. CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Generally, distillation process deals with the
separation of mixtures (particularly liquid mixtures)
into their various components by the application of
heat. In this technique, separation is based on the
differences in volatilities of the constituents of the
mixture, and is carried out by partial vaporization of
the feed followed by condensation.
Considering a typical distillation column; the
feed(liquid mixture) enters at a suitable point into
the tower, the reboiler normally heated by steam
partially vaporizes the liquid received from the
bottom of the column . the vapor flows up through
the trays and leaves at the top and enters into an
overhead condenser.
A part of the condensate is withdrawn as the
top product(distillate) and the rest is fed back into
the top tray as REFLUX
Hence reflux ratio can be defined as the
ratio of the reflux (liquid being returned to the
top tray after the condensation of vapor); to the
distillate or top product withdrawn.
This can be expressed mathematically as;

R= L/D
Where: R= reflux ratio
L= liquid returned to the top tray
D= distillate(top product).

However, as important parameter in the design of

distillation column is the reflux ratio. A specified
degree of separation can be allowed with a lesser
number trays if the reflux ratio is increased.
THEORY
The top operating line equation is given as
Yn=(Ln/Vn)Xn+1 + (D/Vn)Xd

And the bottom operating line equation is:

Ym=(Lm/Vm)Xm+1 -(W/Vm)Xw

But Vn= Ln + D and Ln= Vn - D

Also R=Ln/d

Thus, (D/Vn)=(D/Ln+D)

D/Vn=(D/D)/(Ln/D)+(D/D) = 1/(R+1)

Also , Ln/Vn=(Vn-D)/Vn = 1- (D/Vn)

But (D/Vn) = 1/(R+1)
Thus, Ln/Vn = 1- (1/R+1)= (R+1-1)/(R+1)= R/(R+1)

Thus the top operating line can be written in terms

of reflux ratio as:

Yn=(R/(R+1))Xn+1 + (1/(R+1))Xd
Hence slope = R/(R+1)
And intercept = 1/(R+1)

Thus a variation in the reflux ratio will result in

changes in the operation line conditions.
EFFECTS OF REFLUX RATIO
From the operating line;
Yn=(R/(R+1))Xn+1 + (Xd/(R+1))
Any change in the reflux ratio R will modify the
slope of the line and thus will alter the number of
plates required for the given separation. When R is
known, the top line can be drawn by joining point
A(Xd, Xd) to B(0, Xd); this shown below.
If no product is withdrawn from the still that is
D=0, then the column is said to operate at total
reflux.
If the reflux ratio is reduced, the slope of the
operating line is reduced and hence more
stages are required to pass from Xf to Xd as
shown by line AK in figure above.
Further reduction in R will eventually bring the
operating line to AE, where an infinite number
of stages is needed from Xd to Xf. This arises
from the fact that under these conditions the
steps become very close together at liquid
compositions near to Xf, and no enrichment
occurs from the feed plate to the plate above.
These conditions are known as minimum reflux
and the reflux ratio is denoted by Rm. Any
increase in R beyond Rm will give a workable
system, but a large number of plates will be
required. Line AG which has a smaller value of R
than Rm represents an impossible condition,
 since it is impossible to pass beyond point G
towards Xf.

USEFUL DEDUCTIONS
At conditions of total reflux, minimum number
of plate is required
At minimum reflux ratio many plates are used.
Hence: Reflux ratio(R)is proportional to the
number of plates i.e the higher the “R” the
smaller /lower the number of trays/plates and
vice-versa.

EXAMPLES
A mixture of benzene and toluene containing 40
mole per cent benzene is to be separated to
give a
product containing 90 mole per cent benzene at
the top, and a bottom product containing not
more
than 10 mole per cent benzene. The feed enters
the column at its boiling point, and the vapour
leaving the column which is condensed but not
cooled, provides reflux and product. It is
proposed
to operate the unit with a reflux ratio of 3
kmol/kmol product. It is required to find the
number
of theoretical plates needed and the position of
entry for the feed.

Question 1
a.)If R= 5, find the number of theoretical plates
needed for the distillation process.
b.) Comment on the effect of reflux ratio on the
system by comparison i.e R= 3 and at R=5

Solution
a.) Ln= RD = 5 x 37.5 =187.5Kmol
Vn= L+D= 187+ 37.5 =225Kmol

TOLE
Yn=(R/(R+1))Xm+1 +(Xd/(R+1))
Yn=(5/(5+1)Xm+1 + (0.9/(5+1))
Yn= 0.833Xm+1 0.15

From BOLE

Lm=Ln+F = 187.5 + 200= 387.5

Vm=Lm-W =387.5-62.5= 325Kmol

Ym= (Lm/Vm)Xm+1 – (W/Vm)Xw

Ym= (387.5/328)Xm+1 – (62.5/325)0.1

1.192Xm+1 – 0.0192
From McCabe-Thiele method
It was found that the number of theoretical
plate = 6

b.) Comment: With higher reflux ratio, the

number of stages were reduced.
Question 2
a.) Using Lewis-Sorel method what can you
deduce from the vapor liquid compositions
in each tray at R=1.5 in comparison to R=3
b.) i. Is there any change in terms of the
theoretical plates needed at R=1.5 in
comparison to R=3
ii. if yes/no what can you deduce
c.) From the cases considered(questions 1 and
2), does R have effect on the time needed
for distillation, If yes/No state your reasons

Solution
If R= 1.5 using Lewis-Sorel method,
TOLE
Ln= RD =1.5 x 37.5= 56.25
Vn= Ln + D=56.25+ 37.5=93.75
Yn= (Lm/Vn)Xn+1 + (D/Vn)Xd
Yn= (56.25/93.75)Xn+1 + (37.5/93.75)0.9
Yn= 0.6Xn+1 + 0.36

BOLE
Lm=Ln+ F
56.25 + 100= 156.25Kmol
Vm= Lm- W
Vm= 156.25 – 62.5
Vm= 93.75Kmol
Ym= (Lm/Vm)Xm+1 – (W/Vm)Xw

(156.25/93.75)Xm+1 – (62.5/93.75)0.1
Ym= 1.667Xm+1 – 0.0667

At Yn=0.9, Xn+1= 0.78

Yn-1= 0.6(0.78) + 0.36 =0.828
Xn-1= 0.66
Yn-2= 0.6(0.66) + 0.36 = 0.756
Xn-2= 0.575
Yn-3 = 0.6(0.575) + 0.36 = 0.705
Xn-3 = 0.51
Yn-4 = 0.6(0.51) + 0.36 = 0.666
Xn-4 = 0.451
Yn-5 = 0.6(0.451) + 0.36 = 0.631
Xn-5=0.42
Yn-6 = 0.6(0.42) + 0.36 = 0.612
Xn-6= 0.39

BOLE
Yn-7= 1.667(0.39)- 0.0667= 0.583
Xn-7= 0.37
Yn-8= 1.667(0.37) – 0.0667 = 0.556
Xn-8 = 0.35
Yn-9 = 1.667(0.35)- 0.0667= 0.517
Xn-9 = 0.312
Yn-10= 1.667(0.312)- 0.0667= 0.453
Xn-10= 0.262
Yn-11=1.667(0.262) – 0.0667= 0.370
Xn-11= 0.198
Yn-12= 1.667(0.196) - 0.0667= 0.260
Yn-13= 1.667(0.110) – 0.0667= 0.117
Xn-13= 0.04

R=3 R=1.5
Yn Xn Yn Xn
0.818 0.644 0.828 0.660
0.708 0.492 0.756 0.575
0.594 0.382 0.705 0.510
0.498 0.298 0.666 0.451

Thus with tray by tray analysis and composition at

different R values ; it can be deduced that the vapor
and liquid compositions are higher in those of
smaller reflux ratios for given specific trays
b.i) Yes, when R= 3 theoretical plates =7, but for R=
1.5 theoretical plates=13
ii) It shows that the lesser the reflux ratio , the
higher the number of stages required

C. From the cases considered it can be seen that

with higher reflux ratios, the lesser the theoretical
stages required and this in turn implies lesser time
for separation (Distillation Process). But the
converse is true for lower reflux ratios

CONCLUSION
Any change in the value of R will modify the
slope of the Top operating Line

The Change will alter the number of theoretical

plates required for a given separation.