Distillation-Part

4-1
TOTAL REFLUX
MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO
OPTIMUM REFLUX RATIO
LEWIS SOREL METHOD
 NUMBER OF PLATES BY Mc – CABE & THIELE - Total and
Minimum Reflux Ratio
Total Reflux

All the overhead condensed vapor, V return back to the

tower as reflux.

R = ∞.
Ln is very large, as is the vapor Vn.

The slope of enriching operating line become 1.0

The operating lines of both sections (enriching and
stripping) of the column are coincide with 45° line.

The total number of tray is a minimum but the tower diameter Figure 11.4-10. Total reflux and minimum number
of trays by McCabe-Thiele method.
is infinite. This corresponds to an infinite cost of tower as well as
steam and cooling water.
 x 1 − xW 
To calculate the minimum number of trays, Nm: log D 
 1 − xD xW 
αav = (α1αW)½ Nm =
α1 = relative volatility of overhead vapor log α av
αW = relative volatility of bottom liquid

Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes and Unit Operations to Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations), Fourth
Edition. Pearson New International Edition
 NUMBER OF PLATES BY Mc – CABE & THIELE - Total and
Minimum Reflux Ratio

Minimum Reflux Ratio

Minimum vapor flow, V, from the top of the

tower back to the tower as reflux.

At Rm the intersection of both lines (enriching

and stripping) with the q line closer to
equilibrium line.

When the two operating lines touch

equilibrium line, a pinch point at x’ and y’ occurs.

the total number of tray is increased/infinite. Figure 11.4-11. Minimum reflux ratio and infinite
number of trays by McCabe-Thiele method
This also corresponds to an infinite cost of tower.
Rm xD − y '
To calculate the minimum reflux ratio, Rm: =
Rm + 1 xD − x'
Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes and Unit Operations to Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations), Fourth
Edition. Pearson New International Edition
 EXAMPLE 11.4-2

Figure 11.4-13. Graphical solution for minimum reflux ratio Rm and

total reflux for Example 11.4-2.
Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes and Unit Operations to Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations), Fourth
Edition. Pearson New International Edition
 • Find the minimum reflux ratio and the minimum number of
EXERCISE 4 trays at total reflux for distillation in EXERCISE 3
 NUMBER OF PLATES BY Mc – CABE & THIELE - Total and
Minimum Reflux Ratio

Optimum Reflux Ratio

The optimum reflux ratio between minimum Rm and total reflux.

For the case of total reflux, the number of plates is a minimum,

but the tower diameter is infinite. This corresponds to an infinite
cost of tower.

For minimum reflux, the number of trays infinite, gives an

infinite cost.

These are the two limits in operation of the tower

operating reflux ratio is between 1.2Rm and 1.5Rm.

Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes and Unit Operations to Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations), Fourth
Edition. Pearson New International Edition
REFERENCES

Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes and Unit Operations to

Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit
Operations), Fourth Edition. Pearson New International Edition.

Coulson, M. and Richardson, J.F. (1993). Chemical Engineering: Unit

Operations, Vol. 2, 4th Edition. Oxford: Pergamon Press