ECHE 361 ________Wesley Lee_______

Spring 2021
Midterm #3

Problem #2 (25 pts)

The following mixture of compounds from a cracking reactor is to be separated using a four
column distillation sequence.

Feed – 100 kmol/hr, 50/50 liquid/vapor mix at 3 bar pressure

Feed composition k from feed flash Boiling Point at 3 bar
propylene (C3): 35 mol% 4.9 -20 C
1:3 butadiene(C4): 20 1.5 26 C
Isobutane (iC5): 15 0.6 62 C
n-hexane (C6): 10 0.16 107 C
benzene (B): 20 0.12 119 C

Butadiene polymerizes readily and should be considered a reactive compound.

a) The k values given above were predicted by Aspen using the Peng-Robinson equation of
state. Why was Peng-Robinson used, and not SRK? (one sentence)
SRK is only accurate for small molecules (=< C2), but Peng-Robinson is good for handling
aromatic compounds and acceptable for larger non-polar molecules.

b) For the direct sequence shown on the next page, list for each column the heuristics rules that
apply. All of the columns operate at 3 bar pressure; you may have zero, one, or more heuristics
that apply to any column.

c) Create an alternative (but still likely economic) sequence to the direct sequence, and give the
heuristics that apply to your sequence. Draw your sequence on a blank sheet of paper and
include it with your submission.

Column Scheme 1 - direct Scheme 2 - yours

LK/HK Heuristics LK/HK Heuristics
1 C3 / C4 6 C4/iC5 1,8
2 C4 / iC5 6 C3/C4
3 iC5 / C6 4,6 iC5/C6 4,6
4 C6 / B 7 C6/B 7
ECHE 361 _____________________
Spring 2021
Midterm #3

Problem #2b the direct sequence