Subcooled Reflux

Although most distillation columns are designed so that the reflux

is a saturated (bubble-point) liquid, such is not always the case for
operating columns.
If the condenser type is partial or mixed, the reflux is a saturated
liquid unless heat losses cause its temperature to decrease.
For a total condenser, however, the operating reflux is often a
subcooled liquid at column pressure, particularly id the condenser
is not tightly designed and the distillate bubble-point temperature
is significantly higher than the inlet cooling-water temperature
If the condenser outlet pressure is lower than the top tray
pressure of the column, the reflux is subcooled for any of the three
types of condensers.
When subcooled reflux enters the top tray, its temperature rises
and causes vapor entering the tray to condense.
The latent enthalpy

 In that event, the internal reflux ratio within the

rectifying section of the column is higher than
the external reflux ratio from the reflux drum.
The McCabe-Thiele construction should be
based on the internal reflux ratio, which can be
estimated by the following equation derived
from an approximate energy balance around the
top tray:
The internal reflux ratio replaces R, the external
reflux ratio, in (7-9). If a correction is not made
for subcooled