IDEAL BINARY DISTILLATION

MODULE

10

After studying this module, the student should be able to

Develop the dynamic modeling equations for ideal hinary distillation
Solve for the steady-slale
Linearize and find the slale space model
Understand the dynmnic behavior of distillation columns
Use MATLAB for steady-state and dynamic simulation

'fhe major sections of this module are:

iVI 10.1
iVI I 0.2

M10.1

Background

Conceptual Description

(If l)isti Ilation

iVI 10.3

Dynamic Material Balances

iVI 10.4

Solving the Stc<ldy-Statc l~quations

iVI I0.5
iVI 10,6

State-Space l,inear Distillation Models

iVI 10,7

Multipliei tyBehavior

Solving the Nonlinear l)ynamic Equations

BACKGROUND
Distillation is a common separation technique for liquid slre-anlS cOlltaining two or more
components and is one of the more important unit operations in chl~mical manufacturing
processes. Design and control of distillation is important in order to produce product
streams of required purity, either for sale or for lise in other chemical processes.

597

Ideal Binary Distillation

598

Module 10

vapor

x
liquid

FIGlJH:E !VItO. I Closed system \vith

liquid and vapor in cquiJibrililn.

I)istillation is based on the separation of components of a liquid mixture by virtue

or the difTcrcnccs in boiling points of thccomponcnts. For illustration purposes, \\le will
base our discussion on the separation of liquid streams containing two cOinponents (I)inary mixture). We will refer to the pure component that boils at a lower temperature as
the light component and the pure component that boils at a higher temperature as the
heavy component. For example, in a mixture of benzene and toluene, benzene is the light
cOlnponcnl and toluene is the heavy component.
A saturated liquid mixture of two components at a given concentration is in equilibrium with a vapor phase that has a higher concentration of the light component than the
liquid phase. Let x represcnt the mole fraction of the light component in the liquid phase
and y represent the mole fraction of thc light component in the vapor phase. Consider r'igme rvIlO. I as a conceptual representation of phase (vapor/liquid) equilibrium. 'fhe salu~
rated liquid is in equilibrium with a saturalcd vapor. The concentration of the Iighl COtll~
pOllcnt will be larger in the vapor phase than the liquid phase.
Figure M 10.2 is an example of an equilibrium diagram that rcprescnts the relationship bctvvecll the liquid and vapor phase cOITlpositions (mole fraction). For example, if the
liquid composition is 0.5 mole fraction of the light component, we rind frOID Figure
M! 0.2 that the vapor composition is 0.7.

O.B

00

'"

0.6

"'"

OA

cQ

0,

>

:';;

02

0.5
x, liqUid phase light component

FIGURE i\:IlO.2 Vapor/liquid

equilibrium diagram.

Sec. Ml0.2

Conceptual Description of Distillation

599

For ideal mixtures, it is cOlllmon to model the phase equilibriulll relationship based
on constant relative volatility

o:x
}'=

(MIO.I)

+ (o:-I)x

where (~is known as the relative volatility. FigurcMIO.2 was generated based
tion (M 10.1) with (X ~ 2.5.

M10.2

011

equa-

CONCEPTUAL DESCRIPTION OF DISTILLATION

Thcft.JlIowing is a conceptual description of the operation of a binary (two-component)
distillation colunm. The feed typically enters close to the rniddlc of the column (above the
feed stage), as shown in f'igurcMIO.3. Vapor flows from stage to stage lip the colullm,
while liquid flows from stage to stage down the column. The vapor from the top tray is
condensed to liquid in the overhead condenser and a portion of that liquid is returned as
rcflux. Thc rest of that vapor is withdrawn as the overhead product stream; this overhead
rroduct stream cOlltains a concentrated amount of the light componcnt A portion of thc
liquidatthc bottom of thc column is withdrawn as a bol.loms product (containing a con-

Condenser
(Heat removed from condenser)

Overhead receiver

_...-'::=r=::.-=-----...
Reflux
Distillate Product
Feed
Stream

-----1>1

NF

Vapor Boil-up
NS

(Heat added
to Reboller)

Bottoms Product

FIGURE MlO.3

Schematic diagram for a distillation column.

600

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

8c

,
o

FIGUIU: 1\'110.4
for

it

Schematic diagraol

distillation C()lumn tray.

centratcd amount of the heavy component), while the rest is vaporized in the rcboiler and
returned to the column.
'file liquid from one tray goes over a weir and cascades down to the next tray
through a downcomcr. As the liquid moves across a tray, it comes in contact with the
vapor from the tray below. The schematic diagram for a sieve tray is shown in Figure
MUlA.
Generally, as the vapor from the tray below comeS in contact with the liquid, turbulellt mixing is promoted. Assuming that the mixing is perfect, allows one (0 IlHldcl the
stage as a lumped parameter system, as shown in !'igurc M 10.5. Notice that the vapor
fronl stage i is modeled as a single stream with molar flowrate Vi and light component
vapor composition (mole fraction) Yi' The liquid leaving stage i through the downcomer is
modeled as a single stream with molar fJowrate Li and light component liquid composition (mole haction) xi'
The conceptual diagram for the feed stage is shown in Figure MIO.6. It differs from
Figure M 10.5 in that an additional input to the stage is from the feed to the column.

Li__ l

Xil

Lixi

Lnfxnf

ViYi

Vi-t-l Yill

VIlf11

Ynf-t-l

FIGURE 1\'110.5 Conceptual material

balance diagram for a typical stage.

FIGlJRE i\-1l0.6 Conceptual rnatcrial

balance diagram for the feed stage.

Sec. Ml0.3

M10.3

601

Dynamic Material Balances

DYNAMIC MATERIAL BALANCES

M10.3.1

All Stages Except Feed, Condenser, and Reboiler

The component balance for the liquid phase of a lypical stage as shown in Figure
MIO.S is:
accumulation liquid frolll

tray above

vapor from liquid vapor

tray below leaving leaving

dNlrt i
dl

(M 10.2)

where Mi is the liquid molar holdup on stage i.

[.'01' this simple binary distillation model, we will make the COllllllon assumption of
cquimolal ovcrllow (King, 1980). For any stage except the feed stage, we assume that the
vapor tlowratc from one stage is equal to the vapor molar fJowratc of the stage below:
(MI0.3)

and that the liquid leaving the stage is equal to the liquid flowing from olle stage ahove:
(MIOA)

M10.3.2

Feed Stage

Let {{F' represent the quality of the fccdstrcam. If the feed is a saturated liquid, thcn qF =: (,
while 'iF ~ 0 fbr a saturated vnpor. The vapor molar f10wratc leaVing the feed stage is
(where NF =: number of the feed stage)
(M 10.5)

Similarly, the liquid molar nowrate of the slrcanl leaving the feed stage is:
(M I0.6)

M10.3.3

Condenser

A total condenser removes cnergy from the overhead vapor, resulling in a saturated liquid. Assuming a constant molar holdup in the distillate receiver, the total liquid nowrate
from the distillate receiver (reflux + distillate flows) is equal to the nowrate of the vapor
frotH the top tray:

V2
where Lv and D represent thc reflux and distillate molar nowratcs, respectively.

(MI0.7)

602

Ideal Binary Distillation

M10.3.4

Module 10

Reboiler

A total material balance around the rcboilcr yields:

Ii = L NS _ 1 where

Vreboilcr

M10.3.5

Vrehoi1er

(MIO.8)

is the reboiler molar llowrate and B is the bottoms product molar flow rate.

Summary of the Modeling Equations

The rectifying section (top section of column, above the feed stage) liquid molar nowrates
arc:

L R = L{)

(MIO.9)

The stripping section (bottom section of column, below the feed stage) liquid molar

flowratcs are
(MIO.IO)
The stripping section vapor molar flow rates are:

(MIO.II)
The recti fying section vapor molar flowrates arc:

Vii = V, + FCI - 'lr)

(MIO.12)

In the following ~e assume a constant liquid phase molar holdup (dM/dt) = 0).

The overhead receiver component balance is:

(MIO.l3)
The rectifying section component balance is (from i = 2 to NF~l):

dX j

"I

(MIOI4)

The feed stage balance is:

dX NF
dl

(MIO.IS)

The rectifying section component balance is (from i = NF+l to NS-I):

1 [
dt = M Lx
'S i
r

"Xi

(MIO.16)

And the rehoiIer component baLance is:

dxNS' =

"I

1
M [L\"NS_l - BxNS - V\YNS]

(MJO.17)

Ii

Sec. M10.4

Solving the Steady-State Equations

603

EQUILIBRIUM RELATIONSHIP
It is assumed that the vapor leaving a stage is in equilibrium with the liquid on the stage.
The relationship between the liquid and vapor phase concentrations on a particular stage
can be calculated using the constant relative volatility expression:
y-=
,
I

M10.4

O'X i

(MIO.18)

+ (IX - I )x,

SOLVING THE STEADY-STATE EQUATIONS

To obtain the steady-state concentrations we must solve the system of equations, f(.\') :;:: O.
From the overhead recci vcr component balance:

I,

~ y,~X, ~

(M 10.19)

}<rol11 the rectifying section component balance (i = 2 to NF~]):

f~ = Ll\};:i t

VRYi+ 1 ~" LW'C i ~ VRYi =

(M 10.20)

From thefced stage balance:

j~'F =

LgxN/' -J + VSYNr+ I + FZ r

~ LS'''-NF - VUYNI

'-co

(M 10.21)

From the stripping section component balance (i ::::: NF+ I to NS-l):

f;

:0'::'

LSX i _ 1 +

V.SYill -

LSx i

VSYi

(MIO.22)

And from the reboiler component balance:

f:vs

= LSX NS _ 1 -

Bx NS

VSYNS

= ()

(MI023)

where B = L, - V,.

We must realize that (M 10.19)--(M I 0.23) constitute a set of nonlinear algebraic

equations, since the relative volatility relationship (M I 0.18) is nonlinear in the state variable. Equations (M IO.19)~(M 10.2:1) arc N.S' equations in NS' unknowns. A Newton-based
technique will be used to solve the equations.

EXAlV1PLE MIO.l

Stead'y~State Operation

of a 41-Stage Column

Consider a 41-stage column with the overhead condenser as stage 1, the feed tray as stage 21
and the reboiler as stage 41. The following parameters and inputs apply
ex
F

1.5

::: 1 mol/min
zr
0.5 mole fraction of light component
R
2.706 mol/min
D "'" 0.5 mol/min
qF
1 (sat'd liquid feed)

Module 10

Ideal Binary Distillation

604

r:rom an overall material balance, the hottoms product f10wratc is;

F - D = 1 --- 0,5 mol/min

the stripping section flowr:ltc is:

Ls

-j

Fqr

2.706

+ I

3.706 mol/min

c=.

3.206 mol/min

and a balance around the reboiler yields:

V\' ,."'" L s -- B ,=

3.706 -- 0.5

'[ he ll1-tJle d 1 st C,b, Tn (shown in the Appendix) is used to sol ve for the steady-state compositions.

fsolve(

'di~-oL

S,3' ,xO)

The resulting compositions are shown in Figure M 10.7. Notice the strong sensitivity to rellux
flowrate.
alpha

1.5. R

2.706.

3206

_-J

[_~

08

__:_

nominal

~11 O~O,,

0.0.6

:c

>04

0.2

____1...

__-------'__

10

15

20
stage

.-----L.-

25

l.,_ ...

30

-~

35

40

FIGURE MJO.7 Liquid phase composition (mol fraction of light component)

as a function of stage number. Solid := nominal reflux, dashed;::: +1II(, reflux,
dOlled:::o. --1% rellux.
'Che overhead composition (stage I) is 0.90 and the bolJOllls composition (stage 41) is 0.0 I for
tile nominal rcllux rate (2.706mollmin).

Steady-State Input-Output Relationships

The scnsitvity to rdlux rate is also shown by the plot in Figure MIO.X. The steady-stale gain
(change in oUlput/dmnge in input) for distillatc composition is large whcn reflux is less than 2.7,

Sec. Ml0.5

Solving the Nonlinear Dynamic Equations

605

but small when the reflux is greater than 2.71 1l1OlImin. 'T'hc opposite relatiollship holds for bottoms composition, where the gain is small when reflux is Jess than 2.7 mol/min, but large for n.>
flux greater than 2.71 mol/min. This sensitivity has important nnnificati{)HS for control system
design.

~ 0.95

2.66

2.68

2.7

2.72

2.74

reflux

0.06
~ 0.04

0.02

o ::--::.-----

_~J:_~_'::-

2.66

2.68

2.7

1_________
2.72

_ ----L _
2.74

reflux

FIGURE i\i110.8 Steady-state input (reflux)- -olltput (distillate or boUoms

composilion) relationship.

M10.5

SOLVING THE NONLINEAR DYNAMIC EQUATIONS

Equations (M IO.I3)--(M 10.17) arc a set of initial value ordinary equations, which can he
solved using numerical integration techniques. 'rile next example L1ses the variable step
size MATLAB routine ode4 5 to perform the intcgratiOlL

EXAMPLE lV110.2

Dynamic Response

Consider now the previolls problem, with the initial condiLions of Lhe stage compositions equal
to the steady-state solution or Example M 1O. L The ~\dditional parameters needed for the dymunic simulation are the molar holdups on each stage. Here we use the following parameters:

MJ=M o
tv}]

M 3 :::: 5

overhead receiver molar holdup

feed tray molar holdup
hottoms (reboiler) molar holdup

:::::;5 mol
= 0.5 mol

=5 mol

606

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

To illustrate the nonlinear behavior we compan.' the results of J-, I (j{ step changes in the reflux
rate at time t:;:: 5 minutes.
[t,x]o::ode45( 'dist_dyn' IO,400,xO)

Note that the currenl version of ode4 5 docs 1101 allow model p,lnullClerS to be passed through
the argument list, so global parameters afC defined in the m-filc dis L_dyn. m shown in the Appendix.
The following results arc shown in l;'igurc MIO.9. A positive lr;::- step change in the reflux
rate yields a snlal! increase in the distillate composition; tbis makes since because the maximum
possible increase in distillate purity is (J.()J (the composition cannot he greater than I mole hac
lion) while it call decrease much more than that. A negative J (J{ step change ill reflux causes a
larger change in the distillate purity. 'fhe opposite effects arc observed l~)r bottoms composition,
where a positive reflux change yields a large bottoms composition change. A negative reflux
change yields a small bottoms composition change.

0.98

~
0.96
0.94

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

250

300

350

400

time, min

0.06
0.04

?
0.02

o
o

50

100

150

200
time, min

FIGURE M10.9 Illustration in Ilonlinear response or distillate and bottoms

compositions to :'>tcp changes in reflux. Solid line c::: +l(k, Dashed line;:::: -19().

M10.6

STATE-SPACE LINEAR DISTILLATION MODELS

Linear state space models arc useful for slability analysis and control system design. Here
we develop models of the (orm:

x ,- A x' t

y' ;: : : C x'

n u'

(M 10.24)

(MI0.25)

Sec. M10.6

State-Space Linear Distillation Models

where! is used to represent the deviation variables.

indicates the steady-state values). Defining
I( =

av.' =

ilx;

Xl :;:;: X -- x~,

0'.

(I+I-I)x)'

607

u' ;:;;: u -- u.\ (the subscript

(MIO.26)

and linearizing the dynamic equations (M IO.13)--(M IO.I?)

(M 1(27)

V/JC
A11)
.;01'

(M 1(28)

i = 2 to NF-] :

ill;
JX i 1

(M 10.29)

M[

(M 10.30)

Au I

ill;
I

-)
(-t'i+ 1

VnJ(;
I'vf/

(MI031)

F'or the feed stage:

illy/

(MI032)

ANF,NF I
JXA'V_I

ill"

(MIO.33)

()x NP
A,V/<Nr+ I

ill,,

V)<',/

M,

dX,vF' I

(M I 0.34)

Fori=NF+1 toNS-I:

(If;
ax;

M[

(ivlIO.35)

(M 10.36)

A iJI
and for the rcboiler (stage iV,,')

ill;

V/<i-+J

()Xi i I

iVf/

(ivlI0.37)

608

Ideal Binary Distillation

A NS,NS-l

at;
."C:_-

O.li_ I

(M 10.38)

Mil

_(13 + V,K

ANS,NS

N ,)

(M 10.39)

MlJ

Now, for the derivatives with respect to the inputs;

Module 10

ttl ;;;;:

LR

;;;;:

L! and

aj,

B,.2

Ill::::

Vii':::::

(M IOAO)

au?

VrehoJler:

For i = I to NS-I:

Mr

B'.2

aj;

Yil

Mr

OllZ

(MIOAI)

anel for the bottom stage:

aj;

N.'),

ill,

.....

I ~--

au]

M NS

!!"\2
'. ~
1'_,. ~ aU
2

- Yvs

MNS

(M I OA2)

If the output variables arc the overhead and bottoms compositions, tIlcn:

C u " 1, while
C?NS

M10.6.1

= 1, while

eli .c.
C'!.i -::0'

0 for i

(M I 0.43)

0 for i ;f!

(M I OA4)

j.

Transforming the State Space Linear Models

to Transfer Function Form

The matrix transfer function is:

G(s) ~ (,(sf-A)'!!

(M IOA5)

It is easy to generate MATLAB m-files to calculate each of the state~sIxlcc matrices

(A,B,C) for a particular set of parameters (and steady-state comrJositions). For a colunm of
reasonable sile (say the 41-stagc example) the denominator polynomial ill (M 10.45)
would be quite large (say 4pt order). \Vhat is often more llseful is to be able to directly
calculate the steady-state gain matrix, as shown below.
The steady-state gain matrix is:
(M IOA6)

where, again, it is easy to generate a MATLAB m-file to perform this calculation.

M10.7

MULTIPLICITY BEHAVIOR
Even simple ideal binary distillation columns have been shown recently to have interesting steady~state and dynamic behavior, including multiple steady-states. Nice cxalnples
are shown by Jacobsen and Skogestad (1991, 1994). The key assumption that must be
made for this behavior to occur is that mass flows, rather than molar flows, arc manipu-

609

References and Further Reading

lated. The reader is encouraged to read these papers and modify the MArLAB m-files
presented in this chapter to illustrate the behavior shown by Jacobsen and Skogestad.

SUMMARY
In this chapter wc have dcveloped modeling equations to dcscribe tile steady-state and dynamic behavior of ideal, binary distillation COIUlllllS. The 41-stagc column example shows
that stcady-statc distillate and bottom compositions arc a nonlinear function of the manipulated inputs (distillate and vapor boil~up flows). Also, the dynarnic responses or these COll1positions depends on the magnitude <lnd direction of changes in the manipulated inputs.

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

The following undergraduate chelnical engineering texts develop the steady-state modeling equations ror ideal binary distillation:
King, C,J. (1980). 5,'cparatiolls Processes. 2nd cd. New York: McCiraw-l-lill.
McCabe, W.L., & J.e. Smith. (1976). Un;f Operations (?F Chemlt.-ol EJlgineering,
3rd cd. New York: McGraw-Hill.
The dynamic lnodcling equations for distillation are prescIlted by:
L.uyben, W.L. (J 990). Process A1odding, Simulation 01/(1 COlltrol.!iJr Chemical h,'l1gineers, 2nd cd. New York: McGraw-HilI.
More advanced treatments of stcady-st::lte and dynamic distillation models arc prescnted by:
Holland, C.D. (1981). FUlldamenfals (~l Multicompoflent Distillation. New York:
McGraw-Hili.
Holland, CD., & A.l. Liapis. (1983). Computer Methods'for Solving Dynamic .)'eparatioll Problems. Ncw York: McGraw-HilI.
The panlllleters for Example M I0.1 are presented in the following two references:
Skogestad, S., & M. Morari. (1988). Understanding the dynamic hehavior of disljl~
lation columns. /ild. 6lIg. Choll. Res., 27( 10): 1848-1862.
Morari,M., & E. Zafirioll. (1988). Robust Process Control. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.
The possibility of multiplc steady-state behavior in ideal binary distillation is presented by:
Jacobsen, E.W., & S. Skogestad. (199 J). Multiple steady~stales in ideal two~product
distillation. A/ChE.I., 37(4): 499-511.
Jacobsen, E.W., & S. Skogcstad. (1994). Instability or distillation columns. A/ChE
.1.,40(9): 1466-1478

610

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

STUDENT EXERCISES
1. Consider a simple I tray (3 stage) column with the overhead condenser as stage I,
the feed tray as stage 2 and the reboilcr as stage 3. Usc the following parameters and
inputs:

R =
ifF

F
lJ
Zp

=
=
=

5
3 mol/min
I
1 mol/min
0.5 mol/min
0.5 mole fraction of light component

Find the bottoms product Jlowratc, the stripping section flowratc and the vapor boilup rate (stripping section vapor Ilowrate). Usc fsolve and dist_ss.m to find
the resulting compositions:

x =

0.703]
[
distillate composition
]
0.486 = composition of stagc 2 (the feed tray)
[
0.297
bottoms product composition

Consider now the dynamic behavior, with the initial conditions of the stage COITlPO~
sitions equal to the slcady~state solution. The additional paramcters needed for the
dynamic simulation are the molar holdups on each stage. Usc:

M,
M2
M,

overhead receiver molar holdup

feed tray molar holdup

kIn

=
=

5 mol
0.5 mol.

bottoms (reboilcr) molar holdup

5 11101

At lime zero, the reflux is changed from 3.0 mol/min to 3.2 mol/min. Usc ode45
and dist_dyn. m to simulate the dynamic behavior shown in the figures below.

0.78

0.08

0.76

(J)

0.06

~ 0.74

.:- 004
~
0.02

0.72

0.7

S
time

is

10
time

The Reflux is step changed from 3.0 to 3.2 at 1 :::: I minute.

Appendix

611

APPENDIX

function f

;::: dist_ss(x);

% solve for the steady-state stage compositons in an ideal

% binary distillation column using fsolve.
%

% (c) 1993 B. Wayne Bequette - 21 june 93

% revised 31 Dec 96
%

% All flowrates are molar quantities.

Stages are numbered
% from the top down. A total condenser is assumed.
% ThE~ overhead receiver is stage .1.
The partial reboiler
% is stage ns (the number of equilibrium "trays" is then
% Ds-I). The column parameters should be specified in the
% DIST_PAR array.
%
% to use this function, enter the following in the con@and
% window, or from a script tile (after defining parameters
% in the DIST_PAR array:
%
% x ;::: fsolve (' dist_ss'
%

xO)

~~ wher(~ xO is a vector of initial guesses for the liquid

% phase stage compositions (length(xO) :c: DS)

DIST~PAR

is a vector of distillation column parameters

used by both dist sS.m and dist~dyn.m

%
%

< 8;
disp ( not enough parametlC':rs given in

if 1engthIDIST_PAR)
I

disp ('

DIST~PAR ')

')

disp (' check to SQe that global DIS'I' PAR ha;" bCE"n defined ')
return
end
%
alpha

DIST_PAR(l) ;
DIST_PAR(2) ;

ns
nf

DIST~PAR(3) ;

feed
zfeed

DIS'r_PAR (4) ;
DIST_PAR('j) ;
IJIST_PAR I 6) ;

qf
%

reflux
vapor

DIST PAR(7)
-

D151'.. PAR(8) ;

96

relative volatility 12. OJ)

% total number of stages (3 )

% feed stage (2 )
% feed flowrate (1 )
% feed cc)mposition, Liqht comp (0.5)
sat'd liqd,
% teed quality ( l
0 = sal'd vapor) (1)
% reflux flowrate (3 )
~) rE'-"boiler vapor flowrat.e
( 3 . 'j )

% DIS'I'_PAR(9:19) used by dist_dyn.m (distillation dynamics)

% dist
= distillate product flowrate

612
~t,

f (i)

Ibot
II'
Is

%
%

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

ith comp mat bal equation

bottoms product flowrate
liquid flow in rectifying section (top)
liquid flow in stripping section (bottom)

VI'

%
%

VS

x(i)

::0:-

%
%

y(i)

vapor flow

rectifying sec

(::::: vapor + feed* (l-qf)

vapor flow ~ stripping section (~ vapor)

mole frae light component on stage i, liq
mole frae light component OD stage i, yap

% rectifying and stripping section liquid flowrates

%

reflux;
refl_ux + feed*qf;

lr
Is
%

% rectifying and stripping section vapor flowrates

%

vs

vapor;
vs + feed*(l-qf);

vr
%

% distillate and bottoms rates

%

dist_

Ibot

reflux;
Is - vs;

VI'

if dist < 0
disp('error in specifications, distillate flow < 0')

return
end
if Ibot < 0
disp{'error in specifications, stripping section ')
disp('

')

disp ( liquid flowrate is negative')

return
end
I

1;

% zero the function vector

%

f :::;: zeros(ns,l)

%
% calculate the equilibrium vapor compositions
%

for i=l:nsi
y(i)=(alpha*x(i))/(l.+(alpha-l.l*x(i));
end
9"

% material balances
%
% overhead receiver
%
f (1) = (vr*y(2) - (dist+xeflux) *x(I));

% rectifying (top)

section

Appendix

613

'r,
for i";2:nf-l;

flil=lr*xli-ll+vr*yli+ll-1r*x(il-vr*yli) ;
end
%

% feed stage

lr*x{nf-l)+vs*y{nf+ll-ls*x(nflvr*y(nf)+feed*zfeed;

f Infl
%

% stripping (bottom) section

~;

for i=n+1:n5-1;
flil ls*x(i-l)+vs*Yli+l)-ls*xli)-vs*y(il;
end
%
% reboiler
%

f(ns)=(ls*xlns-l)-lbot*x(ns)-vs*y(ns));

dist dyn.m
function xdot.

==

dist~ __dyn (t

x) ;

% solve for the transient ;-Jtage compositions in an ideal

% binary (listillat~on column using ode45.
%

% (e) 1997 B. Wayne Bequette - 24 Jan 1997

% revised 31 Dec 96
%
~t, All flowrates art::" molar quant~ities.
Stages are numbered
% from the top down.
A total condenser is assumed.
% The overhead receiver if3 stage 1.
The partial reboiler
% is stage DS (tIle number of equilibrium "trays" is then
~f, n8-1). Th(~ column parametE~rs should be specifi(~d in the
% DISrr PAR array.

% to use this function, enter the fol1ow,ing in the command

% window, or from a script file (after defining parameters
% in the DIST_PAR array:
%
96

[t, xl

ode451 'dist_dyn' ,to,tf,xO)

% where xO is a vector of initial values for the liquid

% phase stage compositions (length(xO) ~ DS)
%

7; DIST _PAR is a vector of distillation column parameters

%
used by both dist 88.m and dist_dyn.m

614

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

if 1ength(DISTPAR) < 11;

di~3P ( not enough parameters given in DTST~PAH_')
disp (' ')
disp ( 'check to sec that global DIST_PAR has been defined')
I

return
end
%

alpha
n;:;

n
[cedi

zfeedi

DIST_PAR(I)
DIS'r__ PAH (2)
DIST PAR(3 )
DIS'I" PAR (4)
DIS'T' -- PAR ( ~) )

% relative ~olatility (1.5)

').
total number 0 f s Laq(-'-;s (41)
"-,:i" feed stage' (21)
% initial feed flowrate (1)
% initiaJ feed composiLiol1, light comp

;
;
;
;

(0.5)

qf

DIST PAR(6) ;

rc;luxl

DIST .. PAR(7) ;
DIST_PAH(S) ;

% feed quality (1 = sat:' d liqd,

o ~ saL'd vapor) (1)
90 initial reflux flowrate
(2.706)
% initial reboiler vapor lowrate

~~

vapori
mel

mb
ml-

(3.206 )
d.1.stillatE' molar

~6

DIST_PAR(9) ;
DIS'I' PAR (10) ;
DIS'l' PAR (] 1) ;

hold~up

(5)

% bottoms molar hold-up (5)

'x sLaqe molar hold-up (D.5)

if length (DIST_Pt\R)
stepr
U:,:;tepr

==

19;

DIST_PAH(12);

st~cpv

rnS'l'. PAR(14);

tstepv
stepzf
tstepzf
stepf

DIS'1' YAR(15) i
DIST_PAR(16) i

Lst(~pf

else
stepr
st:epzf
end

~~-;

DIST__ PAR (13); %

%
%
96

DIST_PAR(17)i %
DIST]AR (IS);
IHST PAR(19) i

';,
%

magnit_udn step in reflux (O)

t~ime of reflux step change (0)
magnitude stc':'};) in vapor (0)
time of vapor step change (0)
magnitude of fc(~d comp change (0)
time of feed camp change (0)
magnitude of feed flow change (0)
time of foed flow change (0)

0; tstepr = 0 i stepv = 0; tstepv = 0 i

0 i tstepzf = 0; stept = 0; tst.epf = 0 i

:(;
%
%

DI~_::T_PAR{9:19)

dist
Ibot

LI'
%
%

Is
vr
vs
x (i)
xdot(i)
y (i)

used by di~3t_dyn.m (cJistillat:ion dynamics)

disLillate product flO1.,vrate
bottoms product flowrate
liquid flow in rectifying section (top)
liquid flow in stripping section (bottom)
vapor flow - rectifyin9 sec {= vapor + feed* (l-qf)
vapor flow - stripping section (= vapor)
mole frac light component on stage i
liq
light component ith stage mat bal equation
molc.:> frac light componenl- on stagei, vap
I

~6

Vs
<J(,

check disturbanc0f; in rt-'lflux,

and feed flowrate

if t < tstepr;

vapor boil-up,

feed composit::.ion

Appendix

reflux
else
refLux

615

reflux,i;

refluxi

sLepr;

('Ond

if t < tstepv;
vapor i;

vapor
else

sLepv;

vapori

ViJ.por

end
if t: < tsLepzf;
zfeed. - zf(:,-cdi;

else
zfeed - zfeedi
end

stepzf;

if t < tstepf;
feec1i;
feed
else
feec1.i

feed

t-

SLOpr

end
(I, rectifying and strippi.nq section liquid flowrates

reflux;
reflux!

lr
1s
9,5

rectifying and

feed*qf;

st~.ripp_ing

section vapor flowrates

vapor;
vs + feed*(l-qfl;

vs
VI'

% distil.late and bottoms rates

%

vr -- reflux;

dist.
Ibc) t:

Is -

V~;;

if di;:3t: < 0

disp('error in specifications, distillate flow < D')

return
end
if lbat < 0

disp{'error in specifications, strippin9 section ')

disp (' 'I
disp ( 'liquid flowrate is

return
end

% zero the function vector

%

zeros (ns, 1) ;
%

Df:~gative ')

616

Ideal Binary Distillation

Module 10

% calculate the equilibrium vapor compositions

%

for i==l:ns;
y(i)=(aIpha*x(i)I/(I.+(alpha-I.)*x(i)l;
end

% material balances
%

% overhead receiver
%
xdot(II=(I/md) * (vr*y(2) -(dist+reUux) *x(II);
%

% rectifying (top)

section

for i=2:nf-l;
xdot (i I = (I/mt)
end

* (Ir*x (i-l I +vr*y(itl) -lr*x (i) -vr-'y( i) ) ;

% feed stage
%

xdot (nf)

(lImt) * (Ir*x (nf-l I +vs *y (nf+ 1) -ls'x (nf 1-

r*y(nf)+feed*zfeed);
%

% stripping (bottom) section

%

for i==0+1:os-1;
xdot(il=(l/mt)*(ls*x(i-ll+vs*y(i+l)-ls*x(il-vs*y(i)) ;

end
%

% reboiler
%
xdot (ns 1= (l/mb) * (18 *x (ns-l) -Ibot *x (ns) -vs *y (ns) I ;