McCabe Thiele Method

McCabe and Thiele (1925) developed a graphical

method to determine the theoretical number of
stages required to effect the separation of a binary
mixture. This method uses the equilibrium curve
diagram to determine the number of theoretical
stages (trays) required to achieve a desired degree
of separation.
What is McCabe Thiele Method
This method uses the equilibrium curve
diagram to determine the number of
theoretical stages (trays) required to achieve a
desired degree of separation
 Assumptions

(i) Molal heats of vaporization of the

components are roughly the same.
(ii) Heat effects are negligible.
Description

The feed has a concentration of xF (mole

fraction) of the more volatile component, and
a distillate having a concentration of xD of the
more volatile component and a bottoms
having a concentration of xB is desired. In its
essence, the method involves the plotting on
the equilibrium diagram three straight lines:
the rectifying section operating line (ROL), the
feed line (also known as the q-line) and the
stripping section operating line (SOL). R = L / D
 Steps
• 1. Determination of the Rectifying section
operating line (ROL).
2. Determination the feed condition (q).
3. Determination of the feed section
operating line (q-line)
4. Determination of required reflux ratio (R).
5. Determination of the stripping section
operating line (SOL).
6. Determination of number of theoretical
stage.
Determination of the Rectifying
section operating line (ROL)
Determination of the Rectifying section
operating line (ROL) (continue…)
Determination of the Rectifying section
operating line (ROL) (continue…)
 Determination of number of
theoritical plates
• In last graph we will continue to make the
triangles up to (xw,xw), then the no. of
theoretical plates= no. of triangles and no. of
actual plates = no. of theoretical plates-1.
If the mole fractions are not given we will
calculate it by using the value of α
and relation between x and y is
y= αx/(1+(α-1)x)