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SEPARATION PROCESSES COURSE

ASSIGNMENT # 3 Due Friday, March 19, 2021 by 5:00 pm EST
Please email your solution directly to the Course Assistant, Mr. Jacob Orkowis at
Email: orkwisja@mail.uc.edu

Problem # 1
A butane-pentane splitter is to be designed to process 4200 lb/h of C3-C5 feed subject to
specifications of:
1. A maximum of 3 wt % iC5 in the distillate product
2. A maximum of 1 wt % C4 in the bottoms product
The heat sink will be air (process design temperature to be 130oF) and 100 lb/in2 (gage) steam
will be used as the heat source in the reboiler. The feed to the column is given below:
Component Wt %
Propane (C3) 5
Iso-Butane(iC4) 15
Butane (C4) 25
Iso-Pentane (iC5) 20
Pentane (C5) 35

Find the flow rates of each component and their mole fractions in the top and bottom products ?
For the above problem, select the type of condenser and find the terminal operating conditions of
the distillation system. The terminal conditions desired are the temperature and pressure of:
1. distillate – reflux drum
2. column overhead or top of column, assuming a 2.5 psia pressure drop in total condenser
3. column bottom/reboiler, assuming a 5 psia pressure drop in the distillation column
HINT
First convert mass % to mole percent. Determine the key components and their separation.
Assume that all Lighter-than-Light Key (LLK) go to the top product and all Heavier-than-Heavy
Key (HHK) go the bottom. Note that this is an assumption, hence flow rates and compositions
of LLK and HHK components should be written in brackets, since we will have to check this
assumption later, but not when solving this problem.

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Problem # 2
A deethanizer is to be designed for the separation indicated below. Estimate the number of
equilibrium stages required assuming it is equal to 2.5 times the minimum number of equilibrium
stages at total reflux.

2 Kmoles/hr
of C3

Comp Avg. Relative Volatility

90oF C1 8.22
C2 2.42
Comp. Kmoles/hr C3 1.00
C1 160 nC4 0.378
C2 370 nC5 0.150
C3 240
nC4 25
nC5 5
2 Kmoles/hr
of C2

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Problem # 3
A feed flowrate of 2,000 lbmoles/h containing 60 mole % iso-Butane and 40 mole% n-Pentane
has to be separated into two products containing 95 mole% iso-butane and 5 mole% iso-butane.
The feed is at its bubble point temperature after it enters the column. The column is designed to
operate at 308 kPa. The equilibrium curve and Enthalpy concentration plots are given.

Using the Ponchon-Savarit and equilibrium data only, determine the following:

(a) Minimum Number of ideal plates required in the column?

Show the complete construction.

(b) Minimum Reflux Ratio for the Column?

Show the complete construction and detailed calculation.

(c) If the actual reflux ratio is 1.5 x Minimum Reflux Ratio, how many ideal plates are
needed in the column to achieve the desired separation?
Show the complete construction and all calculations.

(d) Determine the condenser and reboiler heat duties?

Assume that the reflux liquid is at its bubble point.

(e) Design a sieve tray for this column? Look up the properties of iso-Butane and n-Pentane
in the Handbook.

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