Aspen Tutorial Assignment

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 ASPEN Tutorial Assignment
In this aspen tutorial, we did the analysis of t-x-y diagram at atmospheric pressure
(1 atm) by using two elements such as ethanol and water. There are two method
used during simulation.

 Ideal solution method

 NRTL method
How does the Ideal solution model match up with the experimental data?
According to experimental data, Ideal solution method is not applicable for
ethanol and water mixture as it has positive deviation from Raoult’s Law and far
away from the equilibrium data.
As we know that water and ethanol did not make ideal solutions due to positive
deviation from the Raoult’s law. Ethanol and water escape easily and showing
higher vapor pressure than expected value. This solution deviates from the
ideality due to adhesive and cohesive forces. In below figure, we compare the
equilibrium data and experimental data (Experimental data taken from NIST
thermodata engine).

Figure 1: Ideal Method

How does the NRTL model match up with the experimental data?
NRTL method is used for non- ideal solution and also calculate the activity
coefficient. For water and ethanol, we find out the activity coefficients that
accounts in non ideal solutions. During aspen simulation by using NRTL method
we see the azeotropes formation that is found in this binary mixture. We take
experimental data from NIST Thermodata engine.

Figure 2:NRTL Method

What causes the pinch point in T-x-y diagram and what is it called?
In T-x-y diagram, when the mixture is in liquid phase it is at lowest temperature
region. When the mixture is in vapor phase this is high temperature region. When
the composition of components in liquid and vapor phase becomes equal, this is
called azeotropic formation. At a pinch point operating and equilibrium line
intersect each other, there is no separation happens (as shown in below figure).
Water- ethanol mixture makes minimum azeotropes due to positive deviations
from Raoult’s law.
 Figure 3:Azeotrope Formation

Reference:
1. McCabe, W. L., Smith, J. C., & Harriott, P. (1985). Unit operation of chemical
engineering. New York: McGraw-Hill.
2. Young, S. (1903). Fractional distillation. London: Macmillan and.
3. Barr-David, F. H. (1956). Vapor-liquid equilibrium at high pressures systems: Ethanol -
water and 2-propanol - water.