FINAL EXAM IN CHE 508

Determination of Stages and Trays using McCabe-Thiele Method in Binary Distillation

1. Objective:
The activity aims to solve the number of theoretical stages and number of trays for a binary distillation using
McCabe-Thiele method.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
2.1 Use matlab commands like plot, ezplot, and linspace.
2.2 Use function file together with an m-file to solve chemical engineering binary distillation.
3. Discussion:
McCabe-Thiele plots provide a simple, graphical tool for the analysis of binary distillations, specifically
the determination of the number of trays required. Many real world applications are too complex for the
McCabe-Thiele method however it provides a great tool for learning the basic thermodynamics of tray
distillation, as well as understanding the impact of reflux rate, feed composition, product composition and
vapor-liquid equilibrium on distillation column design.

The Matlab program asks user to input some variables which should be carefully fed by the user and
provides some variables as output and a graph of y vs. x for the more volatile component. The graph shows
the equilibrium curve and the stages represented between the equilibrium curve and the operating lines of
the enriching and stripping section. The Matlab code method uses the same assumptions as the Mccabe
Thiele method of distillation which are as follows –
1. The two components have equal and constant molar enthalpies of
vaporization (latent heats).
2. Component sensible-enthalpy changes (CpΔT) and similarly, heat of mixing
are negligible compared to latent heat changes.
3. The column is well insulated so that heat loss is negligible.
4. The pressure is uniform throughout the column (no pressure drop).
The constant molar overflow refers to a molar liquid flow rate that remains constant as the liquid overflows
each weir from one stage to the next.

In this laboratory exercise, we will utilize our MATLAB code to visualize the McCabe-Thiele
graphical equilibrium-stage method and determine the number of stages and number of trays in a distillation
process for a binary mixture. It consists of i) constructing the equilibrium curve, ii) drawing operating lines
and feed line, iii) displaying the equilibrium stages, and iv) illustrating stage and overall efficiency. We use
the command “plot” in MATLAB to visualize and animate the diagrams.

4. Resources:
Matlab

5. Procedure:
1. Create an m-file <SURNAME_LAB.m>
2. Assign variables for feed flow rate, feed composition, fraction of liquid in feed, distillate
composition, residue composition, reflux ratio, relative volatility.
3. Use the formula for the rate of distillate removed “D”.
4. Use the formula for the rate of residue removed “W”.
5. Use ezplot & plot to show the graph of the McCabe-Thiele.
6. Assign “i” as the number of stages required.
7. Assign “i-1” as the number of trays required.
8. Show the graph.
Course:CHE 508 FINAL EXAM
Group No.: Section:CH51FC2
Group Members: VILLANUEVA, MA. REJED V. Date Performed:MARCH 13, 2020
Date Submitted:MARCH 14, 2020
Instructor: ENGR. CRISPULO MARANAN
6. Data and Results:
MATLAB CODE <VILLANUEVA_LAB.m>
disp('The program is a simulation ofsingle feed ideal Mccabe-Thiele ');
disp('Please input the values as asked in the following lines and press ENTER');
f=input('The feed flow rate is ');
xf=input('The feed composition is');
liq=input('The fraction of liquid in the feed');
xd=input('The distillate composition is ');
xw=input('The residue composition is ');
R=input('The reflux ratio is ');
a=input('The relative volatility is ');
D=f*(xf-xw)/(xd-xw);
W=f-D;
disp('Distillate is removed at the rate of')
disp(D)
disp('Residue is removed at the rate of')
disp(W)
L=D*R;
Lbar=L+f*liq;
q=(Lbar-L)/f;
disp('The quality of feed is ')
disp(q)
if q~=1;
intx=(xd/(R+1)+xf/(q-1))/(q/(q-1)-R/(R+1));
inty=intx*R/(R+1)+xd/(R+1);
hold on;
ezplot('y=x',[0,1]);
x=linspace(0,1);
y=a*x./(1+x*(a-1));
plot(x,y);
k=linspace(intx,xd);%enriching operating line
o=k.*R/(R+1)+xd/(R+1);
plot(k,o);
if intx>xf;
e=linspace(xf,intx);
r=e.*q/(q-1)-xf/(q-1);
disp('a');
plot(e,r);
end
if intx<xf;
e=linspace(intx,xf);
r=e.*q/(q-1)-xf/(q-1);
plot(e,r);
end
b=linspace(xw,intx);
j=b.*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)-xw*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)+xw;
plot(b,j);
grid on;
t=xd;t1=xd;p=xd;
i=0;
syms x y
while t>xw;
h=solve(y == a*x/(1+x*(a-1)), y == t1+0*x);
plot([h.x,t],[p,p],'m')
t=h.x;
if t>intx;
p=subs(R*x/(R+1)+xd/(R+1),h.x);
plot([h.x,h.x],[p,h.y],'m')
t1=p;
i=i+1;
end
if t<intx;
p=subs(x.*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)-xw*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)+xw,h.x);
plot([h.x,h.x],[p,h.y],'m')
t1=p;
i=i+1;
end
end
disp('The no. of stages required is ');
disp(i);
disp('The no. of trays required is ');
disp(i-1);
end
if q==1;
intx=xf;
inty=xf*R/(R+1)+xd/(R+1);
hold on;
ezplot('y=x',[0,1]);
x=linspace(0,1);
y=a*x./(1+x*(a-1));
plot(x,y);
k=linspace(intx,xd);
o=k.*R/(R+1)+xd/(R+1);
plot(k,o);
q1=linspace(xf,inty);
q2=xf;
plot(q2,q1,'k');
b=linspace(xw,intx);
j=b.*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)-xw*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)+xw;
plot(b,j);
grid on;
t=xd;t1=xd;p=xd;
i=0;
syms x y
while t>xw;
h=solve(y == a*x/(1+x*(a-1)), y == t1+0*x);
plot([h.x,t],[p,p],'m')
t=h.x;
if t>intx;
p=subs(R*x/(R+1)+xd/(R+1),h.x);
plot([h.x,h.x],[p,h.y],'m')
t1=p;
i=i+1;
end
if t<intx;
p=subs(x.*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)-xw*(inty-xw)/(intx-xw)+xw,h.x);
plot([h.x,h.x],[p,h.y],'m')
t1=p;
i=i+1;
end
end
disp('The no. of stages required is ');
disp(i);
disp('The no. of trays required is ');
disp(i-1);
end
MATLAB OUTPUT
The program is a simulation ofsingle feed ideal Mccabe-Thiele
Please input the values as asked in the following lines and press ENTER
The feed flow rate is 100
The feed composition is 0.6
The fraction of liquid in the feed 0.8
The distillate composition is 0.9
The residue composition is 0.2
The reflux ratio is 2
The relative volatility is 2.45
Distillate is removed at the rate of
57.1429

Residue is removed at the rate of

42.8571
The quality of feed is
0.8000

The no. of stages required is

6

The no. of trays required is

5

7. Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that in this laboratory activity, I was able to utilize the functions/commands in
order to solve the number of stages required and number of trays required using McCabe-Thiele method.
9. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR MODERN TOOL USAGE
(Engineering Programs)

Student Outcome (e): Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
practice in complex engineering activities.
Program: Chemical Engineering Course: CHE 508 Section: CH51FC2 2nd Sem SY 2019-2020
Performance Unsatisfactory Developing Satisfactory Very Satisfactory Score
Indicators 1 2 3 4
a. Apply Fails to identify Identifies Identifies modern Recognizes the
appropriate any modern modern techniques and is benefits and
techniques, techniques to techniques but able to apply these constraints of
skills, and perform fails to apply in performing modern engineering
modern tools discipline-specific these in discipline-specific tools and shows
to perform a engineering task. performing engineering task. intention to apply
discipline- discipline- them for engineering
specific specific practice.
engineering engineering task.
task.
2. Demonstrate Fails to apply any Attempts to Shows ability to Shows ability to
skills in modern tools to apply modern apply fundamental apply the most
applying solve engineering tools but has procedures in using appropriate and
different problems. difficulties to modern tools when effective modern
techniques solve solving engineering tools to solve
and modern engineering problems. engineering
tools to solve problems. problems.
engineering
problems.
3. Recognize the Does not Recognizes Recognizes the Recognizes the need
benefits and recognize the some benefits benefits and for benefits and
constraints of benefits and and constraints constraints of constraints of
modern constraints of of modern modern engineering modern engineering
engineering modern engineering tools and shows tools and makes
tools. engineering tools. tools. intention to apply good use of them for
them for engineering engineering practice.
practice.
Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score / 3)
Percentage Rating = (Total Score / 12) x 100%

Evaluated by:

Engr. Crispulo G. Maranan March 14, 2020

Printed Name and Signature of Faculty Member Date