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SEPARATION TRAIN SYNTHESIS
PART II
Number of Sequences for Ordinary Distillation
Equation for number of different sequences of ordinary
distillation (OD) columns, NS, to produce P products:
[2(P 1)]!
Ns =
P ! (P 1)!
P # of Separators Ns
2 1 1
3 2 2
4 3 5
5 4 14
6 5 42
7 6 132
8 7 429
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Possible Solution
Lowest Separation Load
Methanolamine can be produced as follows:
H2C CH2 + NH3 NH2CH2CH2OH
O
Ehtylene Ammonia Methanolamine (MEA)
Oxide (EO)
MEA + EO NH(CH2CH2CH2OH)2
((DEA))
DEA + EO N(CH2CH2OH)3
(TEA)
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Assuming that
EO is fully converted
Some NH3 is unconverted
Reactor effluent contains equal amount of NH3, MEA, DEA and TEA
Separation by distillation is desirable
The boiling point order is according to NH3 << MEA << DEA << TEA
Using only the assumption provided, generate all possible
distillation sequences, and, determine the sequence that would
give rise to the lowest separation load using a short-cut approach.
(Hint: You neither need the Antoine Equation nor the relative
volatility)
Short-cut Approach: Lowest Separation Load
Separation Sequence Total Heat Load
1 1
2 2 3
1 2 D1 + 2D2 + 3D3 + 3D4
3 3 3 4
4 4 4
2
1 1 2
2 3 3 D1 + 3D2 + 3D3 + 2D4
2 2
3 3 4
4 4
1
2 2 2D1 + 2D2 + 2D3 + 2D4
1
3 2 3
3
3 4 4
4
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1
1
2 3D1 + 3D2 + 2D3 + D4
2
1
2 3
4 1
3
2
3 4
4 1
1 2
2 2D1 + 3D2 + 3D3 + D4
2
1 3
3 3
5 2
3 4
4
If D1=D2=D3=D4=D
Sequence Total Load
1 9D
2 9D
3 8D
4 9D
5 9D
Vapour Flowrate Approach
Fv Qcondenser Operating
Cost
Fv Dcolumn Capital
Cost
Thus, favour sequence with the lowest vapour flowrate
Vapour flowrate estimation
V = D(1 + R)
Define RF = R/Rmin
V = D(1 + RFRmin) Equation 1
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(Use Underwood Equation to calculate Rmin)
Underwood Equation: ~ 0 - Assuming sharp
1 xDLK x separation and LK
Rmin = - DHK and LLK o/head
-1 xFLK xFHK
1 F
Rmin =
-1 D Equation 2
Combine Equations (1) and (2), gives
V= D + RF F
-1
or
V = (FA + FB + ..... + FLK) + (FA + FB .... + FLK + FHK) RF
-1
Distillate Feed
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Example
The table below gives the data for a ternary separation of
benzene, toluene and ethyl benzene. Using the vapour
flowrate equation, determine whether direct or indirect
sequence should be used.
Component Flowrate Relative Relative
(kmol/h) volatility volatility
adjac. comp.
Benzene 269 3.53 1.96
Toluene 282 1 80
1.80 1 80
1.80
Ethyl Benzene 57 1.0
RF=1.1
Solution: Vapour Flowrate Approach
269
0
0
0
269
282
282
0
57
0
0
57
First column
For the direct sequence
V = 269 + (269 + 282 + 57) 1.1 + 282 + (282 + 57) 1.1
(1.96 -1) (1.8 -1)
= 965.7 + 748.1
= 1713.8 kmol/h Second column
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For the indirect sequence
V = (269 + 282) + (269 + 282 + 57) 1.1 + 269 + (269 + 282) 1.1
(1.8 -1) (1.96 -1)
= 1387 + 900.4
= 2287.4 kmol/h
269
0
0
269
282 0
57 282
0 0
0
57
Hence, the direct sequence
should be used. NOTE: High V, High Capital and Ops Costs!!
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ALSO TRY THIS ONE AT HOME
A stream is to be separated of Methane (bp 161C), benzene
(bp 80C), toluene (bp 110C) and orthoxylene (bp 144C) of a
composition of , respectively,
respectively 00.50,
50 00.10,
10 00.10,
10 0.30.
0 30 What
sequence of boiling-point exploitations will probably lead to the
most economic separation?
(a) Use the heuristic approach
(b) Verify your answer in (a) using the vapour flowrate approach
Given:
Relative volatility 3.70, 2.5, 1.7 and 1.0
RF = 1.1
SEQUENCE
AGAINST COSTS
Sequence Cost, $/yr
1-5-16-28 900,200
1-5-17-29 872,400
1-6-18 1,127,400
1-7-19-30 878,000
1-7-20 1,095,600
Species
Propane A
1-Butene B
n-Butane C
trans-2-Butene D
cis-2-Butene E
n-Pentane F
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2nd Branch
Sequence Cost, $/yr
2-(8,9-21) 888,200
2-(8,10-22) 860,400
Species
Propane A
1 Butene
1-Butene B
n-Butane C
trans-2-Butene D
cis-2-Butene E
n-Pentane F
3rd Branch
Sequence Cost, $/yr
3-11-23-31 878,200
3-11-24 1,095,700
3-12-(25,26) 867,400
3-13-27 1,080,100
Species
Propane A
1-Butene B
n-Butane C
trans-2-Butene D
cis-2-Butene E
n-Pentane F
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Lowest Cost Sequence
Sequence Cost, $/yr
2-(8,10-22) 860,400
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