H83MCS – Multicomponent

Separations

Flash Calculations

1
Flash Calculations
V
yi condenser
F HV
zi
hF
Feed TF Valve
F, zi Tdrum, Pdrum V yi
PF
T1, P1
Heater,
Pump QH L
xi
hL

In SP1 it was shown how VLE data could be used to

calculate the composition of top and bottom products for
a set value of (L/V)
2
Flash Calculations (binary system)
Fz  Vy  Lx F, z V, y
L F
y   x  z (operating line )
V V
1 f z V L, x
y x ; f 
f f F Operating line,
slope –L/V

1 The composition is
0.8
obtained from the
intersection of the
0.6 operating line and
z, z
y

0.4 the equilibrium curve

0.2 y = 0.62

0
x = 0.37
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x
3
Flash Calculations (binary system)
F V

0 < f=V/F < 1

1 L

0.8

0.6 1 f z
y x
y

f f
0.4 1
0.9 f=0.5
0.8
0.2
0.7 f=0.7

y
0.6
0 0.5
f=1

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 0.4

0 0.2 x 0.4 0.6
x

As the fraction of vaporised feed f=V/F increases, the top product

composition falls 4
Multicomponent Flash Calculations

V, yi

F, zi V, yi

L, xi

5
Flash Calculations
V yi

F zi Pdrum, Tdrum

heat
L xi
• Usually the feed flow rate and the feed mole fractions zi for
C-1 components are specified. Also Pdrum and Tdrum or one
liquid or vapour composition are also specified.
• A component mass balance gives:
Fzi  Vyi  Lxi
•We can develop this expression to get a method for
calculating V, L and the composition of each stream… 6
Flash Calculations

Fzi  Vyi  Lxi Fzi  VKi xi  Lxi

Fzi
From which we can derive: Lxi 
VK i 
 L  1

Considering all the components in the mixture gives:

Fzi
L   Lxi 
VK i 
 L  1

VK i
Where is known as the Stripping factor, Si
L 7
Flash Calculations

Similarly, we can get an expression for the total vapour

flow, V:

Fzi
V 
 L 
VK  1
 i 
L
Where is known as the Absorption factor, Ai
VK i

8
Solving Flash Calculations V, yi

Fzi  VKi xi  Lxi and F  V  L F, zi

Fzi
xi  L, xi
F  V  K iV

zi
xi 
V
1  ( K i  1)
F
K i zi
yi  K i xi 
V
1  ( K i  1)
F

 How can we determine V/F? 9

How can we determine V/F?
 use the two stoichiometric equations xi=1 and yi=1
n n
zi K i zi
 V
1  V
1
i 1
1  ( Ki  1) i 1
1  ( Ki  1)
F F
 Either of the two equations can be used to determine V/F, but they do not
have good convergence properties. But the following equation has
good convergence:
n n
K i zi zi
 V

V
0
i 1
1  ( K i  1) i 1
1  ( K i  1)
F F


n
Ki  1zi 0
V
i 1
1  ( K i  1) ?
F

Ki  1zi
Assume v=V/F n
f (v)   0
i 1 1  ( Ki  1)v 10
In order to solve for v, we can use Regula-falsi method, but since an expression
for the derivative of f(v) can be developed, Newton method can also be used:

f ( x)  0 Newton method

f k 1  f k fk
f ' ( xk )   xk 1  xk 
xk 1  xk f ' ( xk )
Since the goal is to reach f(x)=0, that’s why we set fk+1 = 0

f (v)  
n
Ki  1zi  0  f ' v   
n
zi Ki  1
2

i 1 1  ( Ki  1)v i 1 
1  ( K i  1)v 2

n
K i  1zi
 1  (K
i 1  1)vk V 
vk 1  vk  n i
vk   
zi K i  1
2
 F k
i 1 1  ( K i  1)vk 
2

11
Example Flash Calculations
V
The following mixture is to be flashed F
isothermally at 3 bar and -40°C
L

Substance Mol Fraction, zi Ki

Ethane 0.36 2.3
Propylene 0.51 0.49
Propane 0.13 0.38

Calculate the fraction evaporated, and the composition of top

and bottom products

Solve this problem in pairs, one use the Regula-falsi method and the other
use the Newton method. In the next example you will swap methods. 12
Example Questions

 You should now be able to complete

Example Sheets 1 and 2

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