MSOCHA3 Multistage Operations 3A BET

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (FEBE)

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

MSOCHA3: MULTISTAGE OPERATIONS 3A

TUTORIAL LEARNING UNIT 5- Crystallization

1. What is the evaporation rate and yield of the sodium acetate hydrate CH3COONa.3H2O from a
continuous evaporative crystalliser operating at 1 kN/m2 when it is fed with 1 kg/s of a 50 per
cent by mass aqueous solution of sodium acetate hydrate at 350 K? The boiling point elevation
of the solution is 10 degrees K and the heat of crystallisation is 150 kJ/kg. The mean heat
capacity of the solution is 3.5 kJ/kgK and, at 1 kN/m2, water boils at 280 K at which temperature
the latent heat of vaporisation is 2.482 MJ/kg. Over the range 270–305 K, the solubility of
sodium acetate hydrate in water s at T (K) is given approximately by:

s = 0.61T − 132.4 kg/100 kg water

Molecular masses:
CH3COONa.3H2O = 136 kg/kmol,
CH3COONa = 82 kg/kmol

[Ans: 0.132 kg/s; 0.791 kg/s]

2. A saturated solution containing 1500 kg of potassium chloride at 360 K is cooled in an open

tank to 290 K. If the density of the solution is 1200 kg/m3, the solubility of potassium
chloride/100 parts of water by mass is 53.55 at 360 K and 34.5 at 290 K.

2.1 Calculate the capacity of the tank required.

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MSOCHA3 Multistage Operations 3A BET

2.2 Calculate the mass of crystals obtained, neglecting any loss of water by evaporation.

[Ans: 2.1: 3.58m3 2.2: 534 kg]

3. Glauber’s salt, Na2SO4.10H2O, is to be produced in a Swenson–Walker crystalliser by cooling

to 290 K a solution of anhydrous Na2SO4 which saturates between 300 K and 290 K. If cooling
water enters and leaves the unit at 280 K and 290 K respectively and evaporation is negligible,
how many sections of crystalliser, each 3 m long, will be required to process 0.25 kg/s of the
product? The solubilities of anhydrous Na2SO4 in water are 40 and 14 kg/100 kg water at 300
K and 290 K respectively, the mean heat capacity of the liquor is 3.8 kJ/kg K and the heat of
crystallisation is 230 kJ/kg. For the crystalliser, the available heat transfer area is 3 m 2/m length,
the overall coefficient of heat transfer is 0.15 kW/m2 K and the molecular masses are
Na2SO4.10H2O = 322 kg/kmol and Na2SO4 = 142 kg/kmol.

[Ans: 6 sections each of 3 m length]

4. A solution of 500 kg of Na2SO4 in 2500 kg water is cooled from 333 K to 283 K in an agitated
mild steel vessel of mass 750 kg. At 283 K, the solubility of the anhydrous salt is 8.9 kg/100
kg water and the stable crystalline phase is Na2SO4.10H2O. At 291 K, the heat of solution is
−78.5 MJ/kmol and the specific heat capacities of the solution and mild steel are 3.6 and 0.5
kJ/kg deg K respectively. If, during cooling, 2 per cent of the water initially present is lost by
evaporation, estimate the heat which must be removed. (use both methods).

[Ans: 615 000 kJ]

5. The heat required when 1 kmol of MgSO4.7H2O is dissolved isothermally at 291 K in a large
mass of water is 13.3 MJ. What is the heat of crystallisation per unit mass of the salt?

[Ans: 53,9 kJ/kg]

6. Given that the solubility of Na2CO3 is 20kg/100kg water at 293 K, what would be the yield of
Na2CO3.10H20 crystals from a 20 ton solution containing 30 wt% Na2CO3 if it is cooled to
293 K? Assume that 840 kg of water will be vapourized during the crystallization process.(use
both methods).

Mw(Na) = 23 g/mol

[Ans: 13 761 kg]

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