University of KwaZulu-Natal

School of Engineering

TEST 1 [90 minutes: 45 marks]

Module Code: ENCH4MT March 2018

Module Title: Advanced Mass Transfer Credits: 8

State ALL ASSUMPTIONS and show ALL WORKINGS clearly.

All flowrates and compositions are given on a molar basis.

Question 1. [35 MARKS]

A 100 kmol/hr stream consisting of dichlorosilane (DCS; SiH2Cl2), trichlorosilane (TCS; SiHCl3), and
tetrachlorosilane (TET; SiCl4) is to be purified via a conventional distillation sequence. The mixture
is to be separated following the sequence given in figure 1. A purity of 95% and recovery of 90%
dichlorosilane must be obtained in the distillate of the first distillation column.

Figure 1. Sequence of two distillation columns to treat the ternary mixture of dichlorosilane,
trichlorosilane, and tetrachlorosilane.

The feed to the sequence is partially vapourized, the feed information is given in table 1.
The bubble points at different pressures are given for a 95% dichlorosilane stream in table 2.

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 Table 1. Component & feed information for the stream entering the first distillation column of
the sequence. The feed temperature is 90 oC.
Overall feed Liquid flow in Vapour flow in Vapour
Component -1 -1
composition (zi) feed / kmol.hr feed / kmol.hr pressure / bar
DCS 0,2 7 13 10,1
TCS 0,2 10 10 5,4
TET 0,6 40 20 2,6

Table 2. Bubble points of a stream consisting of 95% dichlorosilane.

Pressure / bar Composition DCS Bubble point / oC

0,5 95% -1.5
1 95% 9.0
4 95% 52.0
8 95% 80.5

All questions below are for the first column (D-01) in the sequence.
1. From the information given, explain what pressure the column should be operated at and
what type of condenser should be used. [4]
2. State the key components for this separation. [4]
3. Approximate the minimum number of theoretical trays. [11]
4. Comment and sketch the possible location of the pinch point/points at an infinite number
of stages. State the Class of separation. [3]
5. Determine the minimum reflux ratio. [7]
6. List three advantages and three disadvantages of operating a distillation column at high
pressure. [6]

Question 2. [10 Marks]

Using the information in figure 2 and table 3, approximate the residue-curve map for ethanol +
water + pyridine using figure 2 provided (PAGE 3 of 5). Sketch the residue-curve map. Classify all
points and vertices on the triangular diagram. Figure 2 must be submitted with your answer
sheets.

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ENCH4MT ADVANCED MASS TRANSFER TEST 1 MARCH 2018
STUDENT NAME & NUMBER:
SUBMIT THIS SHEET WITH YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.

Table 3: Phase equilibrium conditions and boiling temperatures (P = 1 atm) for Question 2.

Boiling point / oC xethanol xwater xpyridine

78,3 1,00 0,00 0,00
100,0 0,00 1,00 0,00
115,2 0,00 0,00 1,00
78,1 0,89 0,11 0,00
93,7 0,00 0,75 0,25

Figure 2. Triangular diagram for ethanol, water and pyridine.

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 FORMULAE SHEET
c c
Summation equation  xi  1;
i 1
y
i 1
i  1;

c
z i 1  K i 
Isothermal Flash calculation f     0
i 1 1   K i  1

c
Bubble point equation z K
i 1
i i 1

c
Dew point equation z
i 1
i Ki  1

Fenske Equation N min 


logxi , N 1  / xi ,1  x j ,1  / x j , N 1  
log  m

N min 

log d i / d j .(b j / bi ) 
log  m

Distribution of non-key components

f i  d i  bi
fi
bi 
1  (d r / br )( i ,r ) mN min
f i (d r / br )( i ,r ) mN min
di 
1  (d r / br )( i ,r ) mN min

Underwood Equations (Class 1)

( ) ( )[ ( ) ]
( )

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Underwood Equations (Class 2)
c  i ,r z i
1 q  
i 1  i , r  

c  i , r xi , D
  1  Rmin
i 1 i ,r  

Gilliland Correlation (Molokanov Equation)

N  N min  1  54.4 X  X  1 
Y  1  exp   0.5 
N 1  11  117.2 X  X 

R  Rmin
X 
R 1

Kirkbride Equation

0.206
N R  z HK  B
2
 x LK , B
   
N S  z LK x  D
  HK , D  

Column Sequencing

[ ( )]
( )

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