OUTLINE OF PROCEDURE FOR MATERIAL BALANCE CALCULATIONS 1. Draw a flowchart and fill in all given values. 2.

Choose as a basis of calculation an amount or flow rate of one of the process streams, or a given period of time. If one such quantity is given, it is usually convenient to use it as the basis of calculations. If no amount or flow rate is specified, assume an amount of a stream with known composition and write the assumed quantity on the flow sheet. 3. Label unknown stream quantities on the flowchart. Make sure that for each stream you have either mass (or molar) flow rates per component, or total mass (or molar) flow rate and the composition. Try to incorporate given relationships between unknown quantities in the labeling (but do not overdo it by trying to solve the problem directly on the flowchart). . Do the problem bookkeeping. o not double!count relationships you have already incorporated in step ". #ou can only get $ (% of components) & ' (% of reactions) independent mass balance equations ()' ('*+),, -$IT (including mi.ers/splitters). *nly if the number of equations is equal to the number of unknowns can you proceed to the ne.t step. !. Convert known stream volumes or volumetric flow rates to mass or molar quantities, using tabulated densities "for liquids and solids# or gas laws. $. %f &ou are given mi'ed mass and mole units for a stream convert all quantities to one basis or the other 0or e.ample, total mass flow rate 1 mole fraction 23 total molar flow rate 1 1 mole fractions (. )ranslate relationships given in the problem statement that have not been used in labeling the flow sheet to corresponding equations between unknowns. *. +rite material balance equations, in an order such that those involving the fewest unknowns are written first. ,. -olve the equations derived in steps ( and * for the unknown quantities. 4hen a value of an unknown has been calculated, write in one the flowchart immediately. #ou should also substitute these calculated values in any equations the previously unknown quantity appeared. 1.. %f a stream quantit& or flow rate /g was given in the problem statement and another value /c was either taken as a basis or calculated for this stream, scale the balanced process b& the ratio /g 0 /c , to obtain the final result.