Elements of Fractional Distillation (Shove Robinson Clark)

Chapter 7 (p.118): RECTIFICATION OF BINARY MIXTURES

Notes on Sorel’s Method
Sorel developed and applied mathematical theory of the rectifying column for binary
mixtures. He calculated the enrichment, change in composition from plate to plate, by making
energy and material balances around each plate and assumed that equilibrium was attained
between the vapor and liquid leaving the plate.

 Steady-state condition involved in continuous distillation.

The equations are derived from the case illustrated next:

“The column is assumed to be operating continuously on a binary mixture with the feed
entering on a plate between the top and bottom. The column is provided with heat for
reboiling by conduction such as steam coils in the kettle.”

 A simple total condenser is assumed where all the overhead vapor is liquefied, this
condensate being divided into two portions: one returned to the column (reflux) and
the other withdrawn as overhead product.
  The bottoms are continuously withdrawn from the still or reboiler.
For the region bounded by the dotted line:

 The only material entering this section is the vapor from the nth plate V n.
 Leaving the section is the distillate D and the overflow from the (n+1) th plate O n+1 .

V n=O n+1 + D
(7-1)

 Considering only the more volatile component, the mols entering this section are the
total mols of vapor from the n th plate multiplied by the mol fraction of the more
volatile component in this vapor:
V n yn

 The mols of the more volatile component in the distillate are:

D xD

 The mols in the overflow from the (n+1)th plate are:

On+1 x n+1
A material balance of the more volatile component gives:
V n y n=O n +1 x n+1 + D x D
(7-2)
On+1 D
y n= x n +1+ x D
Vn Vn
(7-2a)
O n+1 D
y n= x + x
O n+1 + D n +1 O n +1+ D D
(7-2b)

 Starting at the condenser, the composition of the reflux to the tower (with the type of
condenser employed), is the same as the composition of the distillate, which makes
the composition of the vapor to the condenser the same as that of the distillate.
 The mols of vapor from the top plate are equal to O R + D, and the reflux to this plate is
OR .

In the design of this type of tower it is generally customary to set or fix certain operating
variables such as:

 The composition of the distillate and of the bottoms.

 OR
 The reflux ratio .
D
 The composition and thermal condition of the feed.
 A known quantity of feed per unit time.

With these values it’s possible to calculate by over-all material balances: D , O R and W .

To calculate the composition of the vapor from the plate below the top plate by Eq. (7-
2a), it is necessary to know the mols of overflow from the top plate and the mols of vapor
from the plate below, as well as D , x D, and the mol fraction of the more volatile component in
the liquid overflow from the top plate.
Sorel obtained the mols of overflow from, and the mols of vapor to, the plate by enthalpy
balances.
Thus, the heat brought into the plate must equal that leaving:
OR h R +V t −1 H t −1=V t H t +Ot ht +losses
(7-3)

Eq. (7-3) gives a relation between V t −1 and O t

1. IF the enthalpies are known, this equation can be solved simultaneously with Eq (7-1)
to give V t −1 and O t . *Trial and error solutions because H t −1 is not known and must be
assumed until the conditions of the next plate are known.
2. The values of V t −1 and O t obtained in the last manner are used in Eq (7-2a) to give
y t −1.
3. The value of x t−1 is obtained from vapor-liquid equilibrium data as well as the
temperature on this plate.
4. The value of H t −1 can then be accurately checked, and the calculations corrected if
necessary. This operation is continued plate by plate down the tower to the feed plate.
A similar derivation for the plates below the feed gives:
O m +1 x m +1 W x W
ym= −
Vm Vm
(7-4)
Om +1 x m +1 W xW
ym= −
Om +1−W Om +1−W
(7-4a)
These equations are used in the same way as Eq. (7-2).
Because of the complexity of Sorel’s method, it’s usually modified by certain simplifying
assumptions:
  The heat supply to any section of the column above the feed is solely that of the vapor
entering that section. This supply of heat to the next plate goes to supply vapor from
this plate, and to heating up the liquid overflow across this plate.
 The heat loss from the column should be reduced as far as is practicable and is
generally small enough to be a negligible quantity relative to the total quantity of heat
flowing up the column, so the enthalpy of the vapor per unit time tends to be constant
from plate to plate.
 Lewis assumed that the molal vapor rate from plate to plate was constant except as
changed by additions or withdrawals of material from the column.
*Leads to a constant overflow rate for that section.
*Leads to a constant vapor and overflow rate above and below the feed plate, but the
rates in the two sections of the tower would be different due to the introduction of the
feed.

On the basis of Lewis assumption O n+1 and V n are constant in the section above the feed plate,
O
and the relation between y n and x n+1 becomes a straight line with the slope equal to .
V
Similarly, below the feed, y m is linear in x m+1 . On the basis of the operating variables
previously fixed, O n+1 , V n, D , and x D are known, and the equation between y n and x n+1 is
completely defined; likewise for y m and x m+1 .

A plate on which Sorel’s conditions of equilibrium are attained is defined as a “theoretical

plate”, i.e. a plate on which the contact between vapor and liquid is sufficiently good so that
the vapor leaving the plate has the same composition as the vapor in equilibrium with the
overflow from the plate. For such a plate the vapor and liquid leaving are related by the
equilibrium y, x curve (p.18).