25/9/2019 True Boiling Point Distillation (TBP)

Published on FSC 432: Petroleum Refining (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/fsc432)

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True Boiling Point Distillation (TBP)

This method, described in Figure 4.7a and b, uses a batch distillation operation that
incorporates more than 100 theoretical plates and a high reflux ratio (R/P) of 100, as described
in Figure 4.7a. This is an idealized method to achieve the best possible separation in distillation,
made possible by a large number of theoretical plates (stages) for liquid vapor contact in the
column and an extremely high reflux ratio. As an example, consider distillation of a binary mixture
of compounds A (70% by volume) and B (30% by volume), with boiling points Ta and Tb,
respectively. Figure 4.7b illustrates the distillation curve that would be obtained if this mixture
were distilled using the TBP method, with perfect separation of A and B as pure compounds.
Because of the TBP distillation conditions, first the lower boiling component A is distilled off
without any contamination with B, and following the complete vaporization of A, B is distilled off
as a pure compound. Note that because a large number of plates and a high reflux ratio in the
column, temperature remains constant during evaporation of A until all of this compound is
boiled off, as would be seen in the distillation of a pure compound.

Figure 4.7a. TBP distillation apparatus

Source: Dr. Semih Eser

https://www.e-education.psu.edu/fsc432/print/book/export/html/607 1/2
25/9/2019 True Boiling Point Distillation (TBP)

Figure 4.7b. Distillation curve for perfect separation of the components A and B in a binary
mixture.
Source: Dr. Semih Eser

Source URL: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/fsc432/content/true-boiling-point-distillation-tbp

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