ChE 411 Tutorials

1. You have an ideal binary liquid mixture of two components A and B, where
one is more volatile than the other. Draw (a) an isobaric phase diagram and
(b) an isothermal phase diagram for the system showing each of the
following:
(i) The composition of the more volatile component as the x-axis
(ii) The variable in the y-axis
(iii) Supercooled liquid phase
(iv) Superheated vapor phase
(v) Mixed vapor liquid phase
(vi) Bubble point curve
(vii) Dew point curve

2. (i) Draw a simple isobaric equilibrium curve for a binary liquid mixture (A &
B) with different volatiles, showing the liquid composition varying from 0 to
1.0 on the x-axis and the vapor composition varying from 0 to 1.0 on the y-
axis. Indicate the equilibrium line showing the following.
(a) A more volatile than B
(b) B more volatile than A
(c) A and B have the same volatility
(d) A and B form an azeotrope

3. (a) Define the separation factor, ∝, for a binary system

(b) Show that yA = ∝xA/ [1 + (∝ - 1)xA], where yA and xA are the vapor and
liquid mole fractions of the more volatile component, respectively.

4. (i) Sketch an equilibrium flash evaporator for a binary mixture.

(ii) Show by material balance and equilibrium relation at constant
separation factor, ∝, the following:

[(1 - f)( ∝ - 1)]x2 + [(f - xF)( ∝ - 1) + 1]x – xF = 0

where f = V/F, fraction of feed vaporized, x is the mole fraction of the more
volatile component in the distillate and xF, is its fraction in the feed.

5. (a) Sketch a simple batch distillation process

(b) Derive the Rayleigh’s Equation for this batch distillation process.

6. A batch of crude pentane contains 10 mol% pentane and 90 mol% butane. A

simple batch distillation at constant pressure is used to remove 90% of the
butane. Assume constant separation factor = 4. (i) How much pentane was
removed? (ii) What is the composition of the remaining liquid?
7. A mixture containing 50 g mol of benzene and 50 g mol of chlorobenzene is
distilled by simple batch distillation without reflux until 40 percent of the
initial charge is taken off as overhead. The system benzene-chlorobenzene
may be considered ideal, with an average relative volatility of 5.3
What are the compositions of overhead and residue after distillation is
complete, that is, 40% taken off?

8. The overhead from the distillation in Question 7 above is subjected to a

second simple batch distillation. Again 40 percent of the charge is taken
overhead. What is the composition of this second overhead product? What is
its mass in grams? How many grams of chlorine does it contain?

Questions 9, 10 and 11

Equilibrium data for n-pentane-n-heptane, x and y are mole fraction of n-

pentane
x 0.0 0.059 0.145 0.254 0.398 0.594 0.867 1.000
y 0.0 0.271 0.521 0.701 0.836 0.925 0.984 1.000

9. 100 kg mols of a mixture, which contains 60 mol% n-pentane (A) and 40

mol% n-heptane (B), is vaporized at 101.32 kPa pressure under differential
conditions until 40 kg mol are distilled. What is the average composition of
the vapour formed and of liquid remaining in the still.

10. If 100 kg mols of the same mixture in Question 9 are flash distilled such that
40 kg mol is vapourised, what are the compositions of the vapor and liquid
left?

11. 100 kg mols of a binary mixture (n-pentane and n-heptane ) are distilled
until the % composition of n-heptane in the still increases from 40% to
70% at 101.32 kPa pressure and under differential conditions . What is the
average composition of the vapour formed and of liquid remaining in the
still? How much liquid remains in the still?

12. In the continuous distillation of a feed of Benzene and Toluene, the feed is at
30,000 kg/h and contains 40 wt.% Benzene. The overhead product is 97
wt.% Benzene and the bottom product is 98 wt.% Toluene. The reflux mole
ratio = 3.5, and assume an ideal system, with separation factor, ∝ = 2.5.
Calculate the distillate, D, and the bottoms, B produced per hour. Determine,
N, the number of ideal plates to effect this separation, if the feed is liquid at
its bp.

13. Using the same data and information from Question 12, determine N, number
of ideal plates to effect this separation, if the feed is liquid at 20oC (specific
heat = 0.44 cal/g). Where is the feed tray?
14. Using the same data and information from Question 12, determine the feed
plate location and N, number of ideal plates to effect this separation, if the
feed is 2/3 vapour and 1/3 liquid

Questions 15 and 16

15. Below are the equilibrium data for a methanol-water system. A distillation
column is designed to continuously separate a saturated liquid feed of 40
mol/s methanol and 60 mol/s water. The reflux is saturated liquid with a
flow rate more than the minimum (infinite stages); 95 % of the methanol is
to be recovered in the distillate containing 98 mol% of methanol. The feed is
to be introduced at the tray to give minimum stages (i.e. optimum location).

(a) Plot the equilibrium data in a graph of y mol fraction of methanol in the
vapor vs x mol fraction in the liquid.
(b) Assuming constant molal overflow, find the minimum reflux rate.

16. Using the same graph and the information obtained from question above,
find the following, if the actual reflux rate is 1.5 times the minimum.
(ii) The number of equilibrium stages required in the column.
(iii) The feed tray.

17. Distinguish between minimum reflux ratio and infinite reflux ratio in a
distillation process. How are these ratios related to the number of trays
required for a given separation?

18. Derive the Fenske equation for minimum number of equilibrium stages in a
process with a constant separation factor. Show that the number of stages is
independent of the feed but depends only on the separation required.

19. What do the terms HTU and NTU mean in continuous separation processes?
Derive them for a simple packed bed. What are the types of information
required if you were to separate a binary mixture in a packed bed? Discuss in
detail how you would actually get these numbers for a given binary
separation.