B49CA
Separation
Processes A
Week 2
Introduction to Distillation
Learning outcomes
TOPIC 2 – Distillation of binary mixtures
• Understand the differences between single-stage and multi-stage
distillation
TOPIC 3 - Distillation Column Design
• Understand how a multi-stage continuous distillation column operates
• Appreciate the differences between packed columns and plates
TOPIC 2 – DISTILLATION OF BINARY MIXTURES
100 kmol/h of a two-phase mixture of
35 mol% octane and 65 mol% decane is
charged to a flash drum at 155 °C.
What is the flowrate of vapour leaving
the flash drum?
1. 31
2. 50
3. 69
4. 79
The lever rule
L
100 kmol/h of a two-phase mixture of
35 mol% octane and 65 mol% decane is
charged to a flash drum at 155 °C.
What is the flowrate of vapour leaving
the flash drum?
100 kmol/h of a two-phase mixture of
35 mol% octane and 65 mol% decane is
charged to a flash drum at 155 °C.
What is the flowrate of vapour leaving
the flash drum?
Yield vs. purity
Multi-stage distillation
In a continuous distillation column, the
temperature is highest:
1. At the top of the column
2. At the feed point
3. At the bottom of the column
4. The temperature is the same
throughout
In the rectifying section of a continuous distillation
column, the molar flow rate of rising vapour:
1. Decreases with height
2. Is the same everywhere
3. Increases with height
Material Balance:
IN = OUT
D
R = Ln / D = 0.5
W or B
TOPIC 3 – DISTILLATION COLUMN DESIGN
A partial condenser produces a liquid
distillate product (yes/no)
NO
Condensers
A partial reboiler requires a plate less in the
column compared to a total reboiler (yes/no)
YES
Reboilers
Acceptable area of operation
weeping:
L leaks through holes
entrainment:
L droplets carried up by V
coning:
V pushes L back (‘tunnel’;
poor contact)
downcomer back-up:
pipe can’t handle L flow
flooding:
too high pressure drop
→ L ‘pumped up’ through
downcomer
Acceptable area of operation
Packed columns
HETP
=
Height Equivalent
of a
Theoretical Plate
Which is more suitable when:
PLATES PACKING
liquid flowrate is low
turn-down ratio is high
multiple feeds or side streams are required
corrosive liquid or vapour are present
foaming is a problem
pressure drop needs to be low
requiring high confidence in design
