Assignment 2: Column Distillation

(PO5, CO1)

Objective:

1. Understanding the usage of column distillation

2. Simulate the design specification of rigorous column distillation

Process:

A mixture of 50mol/hr of benzene, 50 mol/hr of toluene, and 50 mol/hr of paraxylene is to

be distilled at 14.696 psia. The feed is saturated at 15.696 psia with 10 -8 vapour fraction. The
column is to operate at reflux ration (mole) of 2.0 and 1-psi pressure drop across the column
is anticipated. The Radfrac distillation employs 12 theoretical stages with feed on stage 6.
The distillates required is 50 mol/hr.

Hint:

Use ideal property

Question

1. Simulate the process given and determine the composition in the distillate stream.
2. Simulate the above process by using design specification to determine the reflux
ratio needed to recover 95% (mole) of the benzene in distillate stream.
a)Evaluate the reflux ratio required to generate 95% mole recovery of benzene
b) If 95% Murphree efficiency for column sections is considered in the system
operation. Determine the reflux ratio needed to maintain the 95% mole recovery of
benzene in distillate.