Distillation V

To reduce load times, this material is divided into seven files, corresponding to the numbered points
below. The present file (distill5.html) contains point 5 only.

1. Distillation Principles
o Definition & Purpose
o Operating Principles
o Ideal Stages
o Condensers & Reboilers
o Feed Condition
o References
2. Distillation Modeling
o Steady-State Model
o Feed Tray
3. Distillation Operating Equations
o Rectifying Section
o Stripping Section
o Equimolal Overflow
o Feed Line
4. Distillation Calculations
o McCabe-Thiele Method
o Limiting Cases
 Total Reflux
 Pinch Points
 Minimum Reflux
o Condenser & Reboiler Loads
o Stage Efficiencies
5. Distillation Enthalpy Balances
o Rectifying Section
o Stripping Section
o Calculations
6. Enthalpy-Concentration Method
o Overall Enthalpy Balance
o Reflux Ratio
o Stepping Off Stages
o Limiting Conditions
o Example
7. Equipment & Column Sizing
o Tray Construction & Hydraulics
o Tray Efficiency
o Column Diameter
o Pressure Drop
o Column Height
Distillation V: Enthalpy Balances
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Variations in internal vapor and liquid flows inside a distillation column depend on the enthalpies of the
mixtures. Equimolal overflow assumes the rates are independent of the energy balance. To remove the
assumption we must consider the enthalpy balances explicitly.

The overall enthalpy balance on a distillation column with NT trays is:

where the Q terms are the condenser and reboiler loads. This equation reduces at steady-state to:

For a given feed and products, only one of QC and QR may be independently set. Normally, QC is chosen
to get the desired operating pressure, product and reflux rates, and QR found by balance. In operation,
however, the reboiler duty is usually varied to control an inventory or product composition.

Rectifying Section

Balances on the rectifying section are:

These can be combined with the steady state balance on the accumulator:

to eliminate the condenser duty:

In cases where constant molar overflow is not valid, this equation may be used to calculate vapor
flowrates.

Stripping Section

The balance for the stripping section:

is combined with the steady state balance on the reboiler:

in order to obtain:

Calculations

In order to solve problems when constant molar overflow does not apply, one must simultaneously solve
the set of equations consisting of:

 Component Balance

 Overall Balance

 Enthalpy Balance

 Thermodynamic Property Equations

 Equilbrium Equations

These equations are linked with enough complications, that an iterative solution is typically required.

An alternative to iterative solution is to solve the system graphically using an Enthalpy Concentration
method.

R.M. Price
Original: 2/27/97
Revised: 3/5/97, 1/27/98, 2/14/2003

Copyright 1997, 1998, 2003 by R.M. Price -- All Rights Reserved

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