Modelling and Simulation of Binary Distillation Columns using Chemsep Simulator

Dr. P. K. Chaudhari, Dhrubajit Konwar, Vysagh B

Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur - 492001, India

ABSTRACT
This paper gives an insight to the fundamentals of Modelling and Simulation of Binary distillation columns using ChemSep Simulator. Computer simulation is the discipline of designing a model of an actual or theoretical physical system, execution of the model on a digital computer and analyzing the execution output. Distillation is one of the most important among the mass transfer operations and is used in widely all petroleum and chemical industries. It takes up to 50% of the plant operating costs. The basic principles and operations can be better studied with the help of latest computational methods. The model discussed here are the distillation of binary system.

Introduction ChemSep is a simulation tool for distillation, absorption, and extraction operations. It integrates flash calculations, the classic equilibrium stage column model, and a non-equilibrium (or rate-based) column model in one easy to use program. ChemSep has the ability to estimate physical properties of the mixtures dealing with. It is the only program that can let us visualize multicomponent diffusion coefficients. These properties are used in the non-equilibrium model to compute mass transfer rates in the column. Another unique aspect to ChemSep is the nonequilibrium model for simulating liquid-liquid extraction columns.

Modelling of Ideal Binary Distillation Column The distillation column is probably the most popular and important process studied in the chemical engineering literature. Distillation is used in many chemical processes for separating feed streams and for purification of final and intermediate product streams. Most columns handle multicomponent feeds. But many can be approximated by binary or pseudobinary mixtures. For solving several additional assumptions and idealizations are made that are sometimes valid but more frequently are only crude approximations. Assume a binary system (two components) with constant relative volatility throughout the column and theoretical (100 percent efficient) trays, i.e., the vapor leaving the tray is in equilibrium with the liquid on the tray. This means the simple vapor-liquid equilibrium relationship can be used = where xn = liquid composition on the nth tray (mole fraction more volatile component) yn = vapor composition on the nth tray (mole fraction more volatile component) = relative volatility A single feed stream is fed as saturated liquid (at its bubblepoint) onto the feed tray N Feed flow rate is F (mol/min) and composition is z (mole fraction more volatile component). The overhead vapor is totally condensed in a condenser and flows into the reflux drum, whose holdup of liquid is M (moles). The contents of the drum is assumed to be perfectly mixed with composition xD. The liquid in the drum is at its bubblepoint. Reflux is pumped back to the top tray (NT) of the column at a rate R. Overhead distillate product is removed at a rate D. Neglect any delay time (dead time) in the vapor line from the top of the column to the reflux drum and in the reflux line back to the top tray (in industrial-scale columns. This is usually a 1 + 1

good assumption, but not in small-scale laboratory columns). yNT is not equal, dynamically, to xD. The two are equal only at steady state. At the base of the column, liquid bottoms product is removed at a rate B and with a composition xB . Vapor buildup is generated in a reboiler at a rate V. Liquid circulates from the bottom of the column through the tubes in the vertical tube-in-shell reboiler because of the smaller density of the vapor-liquid mixture in the reboiler tubes. Assume that the liquids in the reboiler and in the base of the column are perfectly mixed together and have the same composition xB and total holdup M (moles). The circulation rates through well designed reboilers are quite high, so this assumption holds good. The composition of the vapor leaving the base of the column and entering tray 1 is yB. It is in equilibrium with the liquid with composition xB. The column contains a total of NT theoretical trays. The liquid holdup on each tray including the downcomer is MN. The liquid on each tray is assumed to be perfectly mixed with composition x,. The holdup of the vapor is assumed to be negligible throughout the system. Although the vapor volume is large, the number of moles is usually small because the vapor density is so much smaller than the liquid density. This assumption breaks down, of course, in high-pressure columns. A further assumption is that of equimolal overflow. If the molar heats of vaporization of the two components are about the same, whenever one mole of vapor condenses, it vaporizes a mole of liquid. Heat losses up the column and temperature changes from tray to tray (sensible-heat effects) are assumed negligible. These assumptions mean that the vapor and liquid rates through the stripping and rectifying sections will be constant under steadystate conditions. The operating lines on the familiar McCabe-Thiele diagram are straight lines. For dynamic conditions, the assumptions above, including negligible vapor holdup, mean that the vapor rate through all trays of the column is the same, dynamically as well as at steadystate. V1 = V2 = V3 = .. = VNT

Vs are not necessarily constant with time. The vapor buildup can be manipulated dynamically. The mathematical effect of assuming equimolal overflow is that we do not need an energy equation for each tray. This is quite a significant simplification. The liquid rates throughout the column will not be the same dynamically. They will depend on the fluid mechanics of the tray. Often a simple Francis weir formula relationship is used to relate the liquid holdup on the tray (MN) to the liquid flow rate leaving the tray (LN). FL = 3.33LW (hOW)1.5 where FL = liquid flow rate over weir (ft3/s) LW = length of weir (ft) hOW = height of liquid over weir (ft) More rigorous relationships can be obtained from the detailed tray hydraulic equations to include the effects of vapor rate, densities, compositions, etc. Assume a simple functional relationship between liquid holdup and liquid rate. MN = f(LN) Finally, neglect the dynamics of the condenser and the reboiler. In commercial-scale columns, the dynamic response of these heat exchangers is usually ,much faster than the response of the column itself. In some systems, however, the dynamics of this peripheral equipment are important and must be included in the model. With all these assumptions in mind, we are ready to write the equations describing the system. Adopting the usual convention, our total continuity equations are written in terms of moles per unit time.

Condenser and Reflux Drum Total continuity = Component continuity (more volatile component) ( ) = + Top Tray (n = NT) Total continuity = Component continuity (more volatile component) ( ) = + 1

Next to Top Tray (n = N-1) Total continuity 1 = 1 Component continuity (more volatile component) (1 1 ) = 1 1 + 2 1

nth Tray Total continuity = +1

Component continuity (more volatile component) ( ) = +1 +1 + 1 Feed Tray (n = NF) Total continuity = +1 + Component continuity (more volatile component) ( ) = +1 +1 + 1 +

First Tray (n = 1) Total continuity 1 = 2 1 Component continuity (more volatile component) (1 1 ) = 2 2 1 1 + 1 Reboiler and Column Base Total continuity = 1 Component continuity (more volatile component) ( ) = 1 1

Each tray and the column base have equilibrium equations and hydraulic equation. Two more equations are needed, representing the level controllers on the column base and reflux drum are D = f(MD) B = f(MB) Examine the degrees of freedom of the system. The feed rate F and composition z are assumed to be given.

Number of variables : Tray compositions (xD and yD) Tray liquid flows (LN) Tray liquid holdups (M) Reflux drum composition (xD) Reflux drum flows (R and D) Reflux drum holdup (MD) Base compositions (xB and yB) Base flows (V and B) Base holdup (MB) = = = = = = = = = 2NT NT NT 1 2 1 2 2 1

__________________________________________________ Total = 4 NT +9

Number of equations : Tray component continuity Tray total continuity Equilibrium (trays plus base) Hydraulic Level controllers Reflux drum component continuity Reflux drum total continuity Base component continuity Base total continuity = = = = = = = = = NT NT NT +1 NT 2 1 1 1 1

__________________________________________________ Total = 4 NT +7

Therefore the system is underspecified by two equations. From a control engineering viewpoint this means that there are only two variables that can be controlled (can be fixed). The two variables that must be specified are reflux flow R and vapor buildup V (or heat input to the reboiler). They can be held constant (an open loop system) or they can be changed by two controllers to try to hold some other two variables constant. In a digital simulation of the column it is assumed that two feedback controllers adjust R and V to control overhead and bottoms compositions xD and xB . R = f(xD) V = f(xB)

Simulation Using Chemsep ChemSep is a simulation tool for distillation, absorption, and extraction operations. It integrates flash calculations, the classic equilibrium stage column model, and a non-equilibrium (or rate-based) column model in one easy to use program. The ChemSep project was started in February 1988 at the University of Technology Delft in the Netherlands, by Arno Haket, Harry Kooijman, and Ross Taylor. ChemSep was designed to be easy to use by students with no experience of engineering software, while having sufficient flexibility and power to appeal to expert users. In pursuit of these objectives ChemSep features a menu-driven, user-friendly interface with an integrated help system and an autopilot mode that leads the novice user through the data input phase. In March of 1991, when the non-equilibrium model was added, the programs and user interface were completely rewritten. Over the years various extensions of the non-equilibrium model were published and added: an extractor model, various dynamic models, a (reactive) cell model, a three phase distillation model, and a total reflux model (for simulating distillation test data). In 2004 a start was made with a new windows GUI that is still being further developed to include all the column models. In 2005 ChemSep became Cape-Open compliant. As a result it is now possible to use the program inside flowsheeting tools such as Aspen Plus (Aspentech), PRO/II (SimSci/Escor) and COCO (Amsterchem).

What makes Chemsep unique? ChemSep was one of the first packages to make available a non-equilibrium (also referred to as rate-based) column model. Key to non-equilibrium modelling is having a state of the art design-mode allowing the user to specify only the number and type of trays, or the packed bed

height and type of packing. Then the mass transfer and hydraulic models for the column internal at hand are selected automatically. By using design methods and tools of equipment vendors ChemSep allows we to combine simulation and column design into one process, with significant benefits over the common two step approach. Along with many other programs ChemSep has the ability to estimate physical properties of the mixtures dealing with. ChemSep is the only program that can let we visualize multicomponent diffusion coefficients. These properties are used in the non-equilibrium model to compute mass transfer rates in the column. Another unique aspect to ChemSep is the non-equilibrium model for simulating liquid-liquid extraction columns.

A short tour of the Chemsep interface When we start ChemSep we first obtain an introduction screen that disappears after a couple of seconds. ChemSep starts automatically with a new problem where we are asked to enter a descriptive title for the simulation. The user interface is divided a main menu, a tool bar, a tree which lists various input sections on the left and the first input section (with a tabbed screen) for the title and optional comments on the right, previous/next buttons, and a status line. Note that in the tree list there are icons next to the items. In the case of the title there is a gray checkmark in front meaning that this item is optional. Other items have a red cross meaning that they still require further specification. The interface shows we the next item that needs to be specified by labelling or colouring it red (the actual colour can be customized). Here, as soon as we type something in for the title input box, the checkmarks in front of title (both in the tree list as well as on the tab) change from gray to green, which means that the specification has been completed for this tabscreen.

Tabsheets with specification have either a red cross (action required) or a green checkmark (no further action required). Tabsheets without icons contain results or optional inputs. Note that the cross next to the results only indicates whether or not any results are present. We can navigate through the sheets by means of the next (F6) and previous (F5) buttons on the bottom, or by clicking on the tabs, or by clicking on the items in the tree listing on the left of the interface. When we inspect the main menu we notice there is no window item in the main menu. This is because for each problem we want to solve, we instantiate a separate window. This has the advantage that we can switch problems with the Alt-Tab windows key, similarly as other MS Office products behave. Each of the windows behaves completely autonomic ally, that is, they do not share memory space and define each their own problem. When we save the interface settings, we do this globally. However, as the problems already running are not affected, we would need to close all other windows before we could see the changes in the other windows. The definitions of the units of measure, path information, and the solve options are stored in the global options settings as well as locally in the sep-file for the problem.

Keys : Just like in any other windows program, ChemSep assigns several default function key behaviours: F1 calls up (context sensitive) help and F10 selects the main menu. We can navigate in menus with the arrow keys. Use Enter to select and Escape to go back up one level. F5 and F6 have been programmed as shortcuts for the selection of the previous and next tabsheets to quickly navigate through the problem specification. ChemSep also allows us to define the functionality of the other function keys, see the Tools menu.

File Menu: The ChemSep file menu has the usual entries such as New, Open, Save, Save as, and Close. These behave just like most programs define these functions; except for that new and open both open a new window to start the new problem. The close option returns the current window to the state of a new problem (and will ask us to save the problem when any changes would get lost in the process). This is consistent with the fact that ChemSep uses a different window for each problem it opens. To enable people to open a file in the current window, the filemenu of ChemSep contains the options Load and Reload. The latter reloads the currently opened file. This is particularly handy when we want to shed any changes that we made and want to go back to the problem as it was saved to disk. Furthermore, the file menu contains the usual print, print setup, and exit menu items. Extra, however, is the option to export results to reports in specific formats (for example HTML). Also extra (in comparison to regular windows based programs) are options to view or edit a file on disk, and to open a window with an operating system (OS) shell for typing commands on the command-line.

Edit Menu: The edit menu has the usual cut/copy/paste/delete options, but also contains options to switch to the previous and next input screen, just like the previous and next buttons below the input screen. When a solved problem has been loaded, the edit menu also contains an option to generate a new problem using one of the output streams in the simulation. This option allows the quick evaluation of a separation distillation train.

Solve Menu: The solve menu includes options to check the input on completeness and to solve the problem. ChemSep includes a quick solve that will bypass any checks for experts only. The method used to solve and to initialize the problem are set in the solve options which we can set by clicking on solve option in the tree list.

Analysis Menu: The analysis menu contains various options to investigate the behavior of the mixture as defined in the input. We can view phase diagrams, residue curve maps, and diffusion coefficients for binary and ternary systems. As soon as the problem has been solved the parametric study option is available which allows us to study the effect of each of the input variables. One or more parameters can be varied over a specified range. This is useful for optimisation studies. When a column was solved we can rate it to determine the diameter using a general tray capacity functions or transfer column information to vendor software for detailed hardware design.

Tools Menu: The tools menu allows us to set the interface settings and save/load these. It allows us to add our own tools to ChemSep. For example, our units conversion tool is a separate program that is added to the user interface. In the interface settings we define the formatting of the input and results and the interactive behavior of the interface. Note that these global settings are saved together with the units of measure, path, and solve options of the problem we have loaded. These will then be used as defaults when we start a new problem.

Input: Wherever we need to enter any numeric input, ChemSep shows a * to indicate a value is not specified. Where possible, ChemSep will supply a default during the simulation so that we do not need to make the specification. However, some values need to be entered and this is indicated by the automatic checking of the input; the values that are required will be indicated in red. When we select the field and press enter ChemSep will provide us with a default value, if it can. Or it might provide us with a selection list of models from which we have to choose. ChemSep can process algebraic calculations wherever numerical input is required. This is useful since, if we dont know the actual numerical value that should be entered but we know how to calculate it, we may enter the calculation. Numerical formulae may include the four basic arithmetic operations, +, -, *, and /. Operations may be nested within parentheses () as well. When we have typed in the formula, press Enter to evaluate the result and enter a second time to accept that result. ChemSep does not remember formula entries, only the final result so we may edit the formula until we press Enter.

Units of Measure: ChemSep data entry fields also accept units. This feature is particularly useful if we know a quantity in some units other than the current set of units. We dont have to change the global units settings for this, simply type in the numerical value of the quantity and follow it with the units. The number will then be displayed in the units defined globally for the problem. For example, what if the default flow units are kmol/s but we know the feed flows in lbmol/h, type in the feed flow. This feature can be used in any data entry field in ChemSep. Spaces are ignored when evaluating the expression with units. Any combination of the units listed under Other Units may be used.

ChemSep checks the dimensions of the units we enter and displays a warning message if they do not have the correct dimensions. If the dimensions are correct a message with the conversion is displayed (this behaviour can be switched off in the interface settings). A numerical formula and a unit string can be entered in the same field at the same time. All results of formula and unit entry are displayed in the default set of units. All internal calculations are carried out in SI units and that unit entries are case sensitive when using their abbreviations. ChemSep recognizes the standard prefixes for multiples of 10. For example, mmol/s is recognized as mol/1000/s. To change the units select the units item from the list tree, click on any of the units and you see a pull-down list of the available units. This is just a sample list, you can enter any units by entering this from hand in the selection field. After selecting a unit or after pressing enter while editing a unit definition a dimension analysis is performed to check its correctness.

Problem Statemant for Binary Distillation A binary mixture of benzene and toluene is to be separated in the column shown, which is equipped with a total condenser and a reboiler. The feed is saturated liquid and the feed flowrate is 40,000 g moles/hr. A feed composition of 50% is chosen, and product splits of 90%-10%. Number of plates (except reboiler) is 11. Location of feed plate (from top) is 6. Reboiler heat duty (Cal/hr) is 3.217xl08. Reflux ratio is 1.086.

Liquid phase composition profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Liquid mole fraction Benzene Toluene

Fig 1 . Graph plotted between liquid mole fraction vs stage.

Looking at the Liquid compositions in Fig 1 we observe higher concentration of benzene in the top of the column and toluene in the bottom. This is to be expected as benzene boils at 353 K and toluene at 383.6 K at atmospheric pressure and, the temperature is higher at the bottom(reboiler) than at the top. Note that the composition profiles show an almost symmetric behaviour. This is an indication that benzene and toluene form a relatively ideal mixture. Hence, Liquid mole fraction of benzene(more volatile) will decrease with successive stages from the top.

Vapour phase composition profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Vapour mole fraction Benzene Toluene

Fig 2. Graph plotted between vapour mole fraction vs stage

Looking at the vapour compositions in Fig 2 we observe that benzene concentrates in the top of the column and toluene in the bottom. This is to be expected as benzene boils at 353 K and toluene at 383.6 K at atmospheric pressure. Note that the composition profiles show an almost symmetric behaviour. This is an indication that benzene and toluene form a relatively ideal mixture. Hence, Vapour mole fraction of benzene (more volatile) will decrease with successive stages from the top.

K-value profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 0.5 1 K-value Benzene Toluene 1.5 2

Fig 3. Graph plotted between K-value vs stage.

K value: Vapour liquid equation ratio = mole fraction of vapour/mole fraction of liquid. As the mole fraction of the vapour in case of benzene will be less than liquid fraction of liquid in each stage so its K -value will be less than 1 .The components in the mixture divide over the liquid and vapor phase as is dictated by the K-value, which is defined as the ratio of the mole fractions in the two phases present. The K-values are given by: yi xi

Ki =

As the pressure is constant over the whole column and benzene and toluene form a relatively ideal mixture. Therefore, the K values are dictated mostly by the behavior of the component vapor pressures, which increase with increasing temperatures.

Figure 3 shows that the K-values and temperatures increase from top to bottom.

Temperature profile ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 355 360 365 370 375 380

Temperature (K) T

Fig 4. Graph plotted between temperature vs stage.

In the Fig 4, the temperature is increasing from top to bottom because at the top we have more benzene boiling at 353 K and in the bottom we have more toluene boiling at 383.6 K and reboiler plate is present at the bottom which produces vapours at high temperature. Hence, Temperature will be maximum at the bottom section.

Pressure profile ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 98000 100000 102000 104000 106000

Pressure (N/m2) p

Fig 5.Graph plotted between pressure vs. stage.

The operation is performed at constant pressure which is equal to 101325 N/m2. Hence, a vertical straight line is obtained in the graph.

Flow profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 0.005 0.01 Flows (kmol/s) V L 0.015

Fig 6. Graph plotted between flow rate vs stage.

Fig 6 shows that in this case the vapor flow rates are constant in the whole column whereas the liquid flows are discontinuous at stage 6. This can be explained by the fact that the feed enters as a saturated liquid on stage 6. At this stage we therefore see an increase in the liquid internal flowrate. As the feed is at its boiling point, no vapor is condensed, nor is any vapor added at the feed stage. The only vapour generation is done in the reboiler. The difference in the liquid from stage 1 (the condenser) and the vapor from stage 2 (which enters the condenser) equals the distillate flowrate.

Mass transfer rates ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 -0.0015 -0.001 -0.0005 0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015

Mass transfer rates (kmol/s) Benzene Toluene

Fig 7. Graph plotted between mass transfer rate vs stage.

Fig 7 shows that the mass transfer rates for the two components are symmetrically opposite. In this plot the mass transfer rates are defined to be positive for condensing components. That is why the mass transfer rates for benzene are negative as it evaporates at each stage in the column (note the condenser and reboiler are not shown). The fact that the profiles for benzene and toluene are symmetric is obvious when we realize that we are separating a binary mixture under equimolar overflow conditions: if one component evaporates the same amount of the other component needs to condense.

Driving forces ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 -0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 Driving force Benzene Toluene 0.05 0.1 0.15

Fig 8.Graph plotted between driving force vs stage.

The driving force for mass transfer is typically a difference in chemical potential, when it can be defined, though other thermodynamic gradients may couple to the flow of mass and drive it as well. A chemical species moves from areas of high chemical potential to areas of low chemical potential. In Fig 8, there is a symmetric graph for benzene and toluene. The driving force is small at the stage 6(the feed plate) whereas it is maximum at near the stage 12.

Stripping factors ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 1 Stripping factor Benzene Toluene

Fig 9.Graph plotted between stripping factor vs stage.

Stripping factor : Slope of the equilibrium curve in ratio to the L/V flow rate. The stripping factor is defined as the ratio of the component vapor flow going to the stage above and the component liquid flow going to the stage below: yi V K i V = xi L L

Si =

Therefore, it is the stripping factor actually indicating the direction a component is moving (up or down) in the column. If it is larger than one, this means the component flow upwards in the column is larger than the component flow downwards at this stage. As we can see in Fig 9, the stripping

factor for benzene is larger than unity at all points in the column, hence, the composition of benzene is decreasing monotonously from the top to the bottom of the column.

Key ratio profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0.1 1 key ratio key ratio-1-2 10

Fig 10.Graph plotted between key ratio vs stage

Key ratio : Ratio of the key fractions. In Fig 10, the plot shows the actual separation achieved between the two components. This ratio is plotted on a logarithmic scale as when each stage removes a certain fraction of a component, the composition of a component will decrease exponentially to zero. This plot can be used to check whether a feed is properly placed to the column. If the ratio shows an abrupt change in direction, this is an indication that the separation could be improved by moving the feed to a different stage. In our case the curve is changing its direction in a continuous manner.

Relative volatility ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 2.35 2.4 2.45 alpha alpha-1-2 2.5 2.55 2.6

Fig 11. Graph plotted between relative volatility vs stage

The ratio of the K-values is the relative volatility: Ki Kj

ij =

where we usually select for component i the lighter component (which evaporates quicker, ergo, it has a larger vapor pressure and thus a larger K-value). This ratio indicates how easy it is to separate two components from each other. When the activity coefficients are both close to unity (true for ideal mixtures) the relative volatility is just the ratio of the component vapor pressures. As both vapor pressures increase with temperature, the relative volatility is often only a weak function of temperature. This is especially so when the boiling points of the two components are close. In

our case the relative volatility varies from 2.355 in the reboiler to 2.545 in the condenser (Fig 11). However, the relative volatility is not the only thing that influences the separation, so can the internal vapor and liquid column flows, as they are responsible for moving components through the column.

Enthalpy profiles ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 -30000 -20000 -10000 Enthalpies (J/mol) HV HL 0 10000

Fig 12. Graph plotted between enthalpy vs stage

In Fig 12 , the vapor enthalpies are positive and liquid enthalpies are negative, the difference being the heat of vaporization. Vapor enthalpies are positive because the reference point for enthalpies is taken as gas at 298 K. As the column temperatures are higher than 25oC, the vapor enthalpies are positive.

Entropy production profile ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 2 4 6 8

Entropy production (J/kmol/K) SP

Fig 13. Graph plotted between entropy vs stage

The mixture entropy can be calculated from the component entropies in a similar manner as the enthalpy:
c

S=
i=1

zi Si

where zi is the mole fraction of species i in the phase in system. The component entropy may be expressed as the sum of the component entropy plus the contributions of ideal and excess mixing entropy: Si = Si id + Si ex where Sex is the excess entropy and Sid is the ideal contribution for component i.

Baur efficiency ChemSep 2 4

S tage

6 8 10 12 0 0.2 Efficiency Baur efficiency Efficiency angle 0.4 0.6

Fig 14. Graph plotted between Baur efficiency vs stage.

Baur efficiency : geometric efficiency . The Baur efficiency is defined as follows: =

2 =1(, ) 2 =1( )

The Baur efficiency as defined above has a simple and appealing physical significance: it is the ratio of the length of the actual composition profile (in mole fraction space) to the length of the composition profile. For a binary mixture in a tray column, the Baur efficiency is equal to the Murphree efficiency. Here the Baur efficiency increases from 0.53 to 0.56 on going from top to bottom in the column.

McCabe-Thiele diagram - Toluene 1

Y B enzene/(B enzene+ Toluene)

0.8

0.6 7 0.4

0.2

0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 X Benzene/(Benzene+Toluene)

ChemSep 1

Fig 16. Mc-Cabe Thiele diagram.