Assignment 1 2015

Question 1
The overhead from a distillation column of a gas processing plant has the overall composition
as shown in Table 1. This system conforms closely to Raoults law.
Table 1: Compositions and Antoine Equation parameters for the overhead components

ln Psat
1 /kPa=A

B
T+C

where T is in Kelvin
Compositio
n

Parameters for Antoine Equation

n-Butane

0.5

13.9836

2292.44

-27.8623

n-Pentane

0.30

13.9778

2554.60

-36.2529

nHeptane

13.9008

2932.72

-55.6356

0.20

Determine the maximum operating temperature at the condenser when the entire overhead
products from the distillation column need to be condensed completely at 6 bars.
(12 marks)
Question 2
A stream from a gas well contains n-butane(1) and n-pentane(2) is to be separated in a single
stage liquid-vapor separator. It is desired to obtain high purity of propane in the liquid stream.
Assuming that the liquid phase is non ideal, the correlation for the activity coefficients are given
as:
ln 1 = 0.88x22

ln 2 = 0.88x12

a) At 65 C, the liquid composition of n-butane is 0.35, determine the pressure and vapor
composition of n-butane and n-pentane.
(6 marks)
b) At 65 C, the vapor composition of n-butane is 0.75, determine the pressure and liquid
composition of n-butane and n-pentane.
(8 marks)
Question 3
In a petroleum refinery, a stream containing 10 mole% ethane, 30 mole% propane and 60 mole
% n-butane is fed to a flash separator operating at 400 kPa. If 55 % of the feed on mole basis is
condensed, determine the temperature at which this separator should be operated. Verify your
answer.

Assignment 1 2015
(13 marks)