Problem Statement

100 kmol/h of a mixture consisting of the following three components and their respective mole
fractions:

Ethyl Benzene 0.3

Is fed at a temperature of 50  °C into the first of two separators operating at a pressure of 150
kPa absolute and temperature  125 °C.  The liquid from the first separator is then fed to the
second separator operating at the same pressure, but a temperature of 130 °C.  A fraction 0.3 of
the liquid from the second separator is recycled to the first separator.

Using HYSYS:

1.    Calculate the vapour and liquid streams and the heat load if the above mixture is fed into the
first of two separators operating at a given temperatures and pressures. The liquid outlet from
the first separator is fed to the second separator and part of liquid from that is recycled.

Problem Background

Phase transfers in chemical processes occur in virtually all commercial chemical

processes (Felder, 2005). Aspen HYSYS can be used to simulate an environment which the
chemical process can take place by the sensitivity analysis which is done by producing
interactive models. This means concepts of designs can be designed in detail which in effect will
reduce costs and allow improved operating decisions. This is why Aspen HYSYS will be an ideal
software to use to produce in depth knowledge of what systems will behave like.
 The system obeys Rault’s and Dalton’s Laws. Where Dalton’s law suggests that the total
vapour pressure of a mixture is equivalent to the sum of the vapour pressures of the
components. In contrast Rault’s law suggests the volatility in the mixture is equivalent to the
vapour pressure of each component in their pure states. At a certain pressure all mixtures will
have a single boiling point The total vapour pressure which is contributed from all the
components will boil at this point. The contribution of each component to the vapour pressure
will have an effect on the quantity of boiling. So we can state that the components which arise in
the vapour phase will be more volatile relative to the less volatile components (Petlyuk, 2004)

Fluid Package
The SRK equation of state is the most accurate equation derived from the Redlich-
Kwong (RK) equation. The RK equation gave a good degree of accuracy however when it
came to multi component equilibriums calculations are often poor. SRK is more
accurate than the van der Waals equation and ideal gas equation making it the most
common method used for vapour-liquid phase equation (Felder, 2005).

RT aα
P= −
V m−b V m ( V m +b )

Computer Simulation using HYSYS (PFD)

In this problem statement the simulation of the process flow was generated by the
HYSYS software to find the problem given. On the opening of HYSYS the simulation basis
windows is opened and an equation of state is required in our experiment the SRK equation of
state was selected as the fluid package. The components added where Benzene, Toluene and
Ethyl Benzene. After everything has been successfully achieved in the Simulation Bases Manager
we are able to enter the Simulation Environment. Here we can construct our system. Using the
‘Workbook’ tool we can define; Material Streams, Compositions and Energy Streams. Inserting
certain information and not ‘over-defining’ the process HYSYS is able to calculate the data
required.
The PFD of the two-separator system can be seen in Figure 1. Continuing the first separator
system and modifying the stream names so we are able to refer to our system systematically. In
this system we add a second separator (V-101), a mixer (MIX-100), recycler (RCY-1) and a
splitter (TEE-100). We utilise the second separator by having a different temperature in this
case 403K. A mixer is used mix the recycle and feed stream which is put through to the first
separator. Using the splitter the ‘liquid 2’ stream can be fragmented where 30% is recycled and
the rest is liquid product. The 30% of which is divided is sent to the recycler and then the
stream is sent to the mixer. In this system the pressure, temperature, molar flow and
compositions of the components in the feed are defined. However the temperatures change at
both separators; V-100 and V-101, 398K and 403K respectively. A change in temperature can be
achieved with an energy stream at both separators. Inputting this data, we can calculate other
Material Streams, Compositions and Energy Streams.