DISTILLATION: McCABE-THIELE DIAGRAMS AND SHORTCUT METHODS

ChE 3G4 Spreadsheet

Distillation columns can typically be described by the schematic diagram shown to the right.

A column contains N trays, each of which is at a particular temperature and pressure. Vapour-liquid
equilibrium is established across each of these trays, with a vapour flow rate of V and liquid flow rate
of L. A feed stream of molar flow F, mole fraction composition z i and quality q (q=0 is a saturated
vapour; q=1 is a saturated liquid) is fed to the column at an optimized tray N FEED. The vapour from
the top of the column (molar flow rate V) is totally condensed, with part of the condensate returned to
the column (molar flow rate L) and part removed as a distillate product (molar flow rate D with mole
fraction composition xi,DIST). Similarly, the liquid from the bottom of the column is partially reboiled
back to the column, with the remaining liquid portion removed as a bottoms product (molar flow rate
B with a mole fraction composition xi,BOT). Unlike in a flash drum, the product distillate and bottoms
streams are NOT themselves in equilibrium, only the vapour and liquid compositions of each single
tray.

Distillation processes are frequently used in industry to do perform well-defined separations, often
using a cascade of columns in sequence to achieve the desired product compositions. As a result,
it's important we find a way to design columns to meet specific product stream specifications. A
variety of methods can be used, the most obvious of which is performing tray-by-tray balances within
the column. Since each tray is at a constant pressure, this essentially amounts to performing a flash
calculation on each single tray up and down the column. While computer simulation programs can
do such calculations, they are very cumbersome and difficult to do with a spreadsheet. However, we
can use shortcut methods to estimate the number of trays and external (L/D) and internal (L/V) reflux
ratios required to produce product streams of specified compositions.

In designing a column, we can identify two practical limiting cases for the reflux ratios L/V and L/D:
(1) L=V; that is, we do not take any distillate (or bottoms) product

In this case, we need a minimum number of trays to perform the separation since we have no incoming or outgoing flow. This
predicted using the Fenske equation, expressed either in terms of the mole fractions (x) of components A and B or the fractio
in the distillate and bottom stream. Here, A is the light key component (ie. a component present in both the distillate and botto
and B is the heavy key component (ie. a component present in both the distillate and bottoms but recovered primarily in the bo
two components whose recovery in the distillate and/or bottoms is specified in the problem in a multi-component distillation pro

ln
N min =

{( ) ( ) }
xA

xB

DIST

xA
xB

ln AB

BOT

ln
N min=

( FR A ) DIST ( FR B )BOT
[ 1( FR A )DIST ][ 1( FRB )BOT ]

ln AB

The parameter AB in these equations is the relative volatility of A with respect to B, which (assuming ideal conditions) can be e
yA
AB=

xA
yB
xB

P
P

PA

PB

where PA* and PB* are the vapour pressures of components A and B (from Antoin

yA
AB=

xA
yB
xB

P
P

PA
PB

A key assumption to this approach is that the relative volatility is constant throught the entire column, despite the fact that a ran
different trays. Several approaches are taken to get the "best" estimate of this average relative volatility; in this spreadsheet, t
calculated and the partial pressure ratio at the midpoint of these temperatures is used.
(1) L/Dmin - the external reflux ratio at which the specified separation is just achieved with an infinite number of trays

As we continue to take more and more product off the top, we reduce the amount of product returned to the column and conse
molecule stays within the column. Eventually, we reach a point where an "infinite" number of stages is required to separate the
specifications. This minimum external reflux ratio L/D min can be predicted using the Underwood equations given below:

V FEED=
i

i Fzi
=F (1q )
i

(1)

V min=
i

i Dxi , DIST
i

Lmin=V min D

(2)

To solve these equations, we first find the value of the parameter which satisfies equation (1). We can then substitute this va
calculated based on the feed flow and composition and the specified mole fractions and/or fractional recoveries of the compon
equation 3. These equations can be used for any number of different components within the column; however, if solved in this
required to assume that any light or heavy non-key components (ie. components with relative volatilities higher and lower than
respectively) either do not distribute at all (ie. all light non-key ends up in the distillate and all heavy non-key in the bottoms) or
equation prediction:
N

CBmin
( FR C )DIST =
( FR B ) BOT
N
+ CBmin
1( FR B )BOT

We can then use these extreme results (ie. the minimum possible number of trays and the minimum possible external reflux ra
reflux ratio required in a real column using the Gilliland correlation. A design value for L/D is first specified, usually as some fa
1.05 and 1.25). The following values are then calculated and fit to the correlation developed by Gilliland:
L
x= Abscissa=

( L D)

min

L
D

+1

y=

N N min
N +1

We can therefore solve for N as well as the optimum feed location in a real column, based on the N/N min scaling and the Fensk

N F =N F ,min

N
N min

( )

ln
N F ,min =

{( ) ( )}
xA
xB

DIST

zA
zB

ln AB

Practically, the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland approach gives rough, first-pass estimates of the number of stages required to pe
assumption of constant relative volatility can be inaccurate in some cases, particularly in columns with highly non-ideal compon

Stage-by-stage calculations can be performed graphically using the McCabe-Thiele method. In this approach, the y vs x VLE
eliminating the uncertainty regarding the constant relative volatility estimate. This means we need to perform dew or bubble po
equilibrium data; in this spreadsheet, we use an ideal bubble point calculation to produce this data. The curve is then fit to a fo
to give us an algebraic expression for the y vs x equilibrium line, allowing us to calculate its intercepts with the other lines. On
lines:
Feed Line:

Top Operating Line:

Bottom Operating Line:

q
1
xA+
z
q1
1q A , FEED
L
L
y A= x A + 1 x A , DIST
V
V
y A=

( )
L
L
y = x +(1 ) x
V
V
A

A ,BOT

We also plot the simple y=x line on the graph. A typical McCabe-Thiele plot is shown below (with the polynomial y vs x VLE fit

Starting at the specified mole fraction of component A (the lighter component) in the distillate on the y=x line, we can step dow
equilibrium data curve and either the top or bottom operating lines as our step limits. The top operating line is used when the c
the x value of the feed line - y vs x VLE curve intercept; the bottom operating line is used at mole fractions below the intercept.
column with any specifications (ie. we are not limited to total reflux or minimum reflux). However, by setting L/V equal to one, w
check that the Fenske calculation of Nmin is accurate. In the case of minimum reflux, we can obviously not plot an infinite numb
method; however a "pinch point" will be visible on the graph in which the operating and equilibrium lines touch.

This spreadsheet will allow you to use both the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland and the McCabe-Thiele approach to design distilla

Cells highlighed in YELLOW require input from you

Cells highlighted in BLUE require you to perform a manual GoalSeek procedure on that cell to get a converged solution

Cells with a red triangle in the upper right-hand corner have comments which will give you more information about what the va
value for that variable.

D
xi,DIST

NFEED

F
zi

B
xi,BOT

ng or outgoing flow. This minimum number of trays (N min) can be

ents A and B or the fractional recoveries (FR) of components A and B
oth the distillate and bottoms but recovered primarily in the distillate)
covered primarily in the bottoms). The light and heavy keys are the
component distillation problem:

FR B )BOT
( FRB )BOT ]

Dx A , DIST

where

( FR A ) DIST = Fz
A

Bx A , BOT

( FRB ) BOT = Fz
A

ideal conditions) can be estimated as:

nents A and B (from Antoine's equation)

despite the fact that a range of temperatures are present on the

lity; in this spreadsheet, the dew and bubble temperatures are

umber of trays

d to the column and consequently reduce the total time an average

is required to separate the components according to the column
ations given below:

min =V min D

(3)

can then substitute this value into (2) to calculate V min. D can be
recoveries of the components. L min can be calculated using
; however, if solved in this fashion (ie. with a single value of ), it is
ies higher and lower than the light and heavy key components
on-key in the bottoms) or distribute according to the Fenske

possible external reflux ratio) to predict the number of trays and

cified, usually as some factor of (L/D) min (typical values are between
and:

N min scaling and the Fenske optimum feed prediction:

r of stages required to perform a given separation. However, the

h highly non-ideal components and/or a large temperature range.

approach, the y vs x VLE relationship is plotted directly on the graph,

perform dew or bubble point calculations to generate the y vs x
The curve is then fit to a fourth-order polynomial expression in order
s with the other lines. On the same graph, we plot three additional

polynomial y vs x VLE fit)

y=x line, we can step down the curves, using the y vs. x VLE
ng line is used when the component A mole fraction is greater than
ctions below the intercept. This method can be used to design any
setting L/V equal to one, we can use the McCabe-Thiele diagram to
y not plot an infinite number of stages using the McCabe-Thiele
nes touch.

approach to design distillation columns.

converged solution

mation about what the variable in the cell means or how to select a

ANTOINE EQUATION COEFFICIENTS

B
A
(
T C )
P =10

No.

Substance

Use the numbers in column B to choose your components in the subsequent spr

Formula
C2H4O

Range (C)

1 Acetaldehyde

-0.2 to 34.4

8.00552 1600.017

291.809

2 Acetic Acid

C2H4O2

29.8 to 126.5

7.38782 1533.313

222.309

3 Acetic Acid

C2H4O2

0 to 36

7.18807 1416.700

225.000

4 Acetic Anhydride

C4H6O3

62.8 to 139.4

7.14948 1444.718

199.817

5 Acetone

C3H6O

-12.9 to 55.3

7.11714 1210.595

229.664

6 Acrylic Acid

C3H4O2

5.65204

648.629

154.683

7 Ammonia

NH3

7.55466 1002.711

247.885

8 Aniline

C6H7N

7.32010 1731.515

206.049

9 Benzene

C6H6

6.89272 1203.531

219.888

10 n-Butane

n-C4H10

6.82485

943.453

239.711

11 i-Butane

i-C4H10

6.78866

899.617

241.942

12 1-Butanol

C4H10O

7.36366 1305.198

173.427

13 2-Butanol

C4H10O

7.20131 1157.000

168.279

14 1-Butene

C4H8

6.53101

810.261

228.066

15 Butyric Acid

C4H8O2

8.71019 2433.014

255.189

16 Carbon disulfide

CS2

6.94279

1169.110

241.593

17 Carbon tetrachloride

CCl4

6.87926 1212.021

226.409

18 Cholorobenzene

C6H5Cl

0 to 42

7.10690 1500.000

224.000

19 Cholorobenzene

C6H5Cl

42 to 230

6.94504 1413.120

216.000

20 Chloroform

CHCl3

-30 to 150

6.90328 1163.030

227.400

21 Cumene

C9H12

6.93619 1460.310

207.701

22 Cyclohexane

C6H12

6.84941 1206.001

223.148

23 Cyclohexanol

C6H12O

6.25530

912.866

226.232

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38

n-C10H22

6.95707
6.95433
6.97702
7.02530
7.40916
6.92032
7.02529
7.08212
6.92796
7.43155
8.11220
7.45680
7.09808
6.98647
6.95650

1503.568
1497.527
1174.022
1271.254
1325.938
1064.066
1310.281
860.242
1400.869
1554.679
1592.864
1577.670
1238.710
1030.007
1423.543

194.738
197.056
229.060
222.927
252.616
228.799
214.192
221.667
196.434
240.337
226.184
173.368
217.000
238.612
213.091

n-Decane
1-Decene
1,1-Dicholoroethane
1,2-Dicholoroethane
Dicholoromethane
Diethyl ether
Diethyl ketone
Dimethylamine
N,N-Dimethylformamide
1,4-Dioxane
Ethanol
Ethanolamine
Ethyl acetate
Ethyl chloride
Ethylbenzene

19.6 to 93.4
-20 to 150
56.5 to 137.1

39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82

Ethylene glycol
Ethylene oxide
1,2-Ethylenediamine
Formaldehyde
Formic Acid
Glycerol
n-Heptane
i-Heptane
n-Hexane
i-Hexane
Hydrogen Cyanide
Methanol
Methyl acetate
Methyl bromide
Methyl choride
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Methyl methacrylate
Methylamine
Methylcyclohexane
Naphthalene
Nitrobenzene
Nitromethane
n-Nonane
1-Nonane
n-Octane
i-Octane
1-Octene
n-Pentane
i-Pentane
1-Pentanol
1-Pentene
Phenol
1-Propanol
2-Propanol
Propionic acid
Propylene oxide
Pyridine
Styrene
Toluene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl acetate
83 Water1
84 Water2
85 m-Xylene
86 o-Xylene

2088.936
2005.779
1336.235
970.595
1699.173
1036.056
1267.828
1238.122
1175.817
1151.041
1329.490
1473.110
1157.630
1046.066
948.582
1261.339
1168.408
2050.467
1011.532
1273.673
1756.328
1746.586
1446.937
1430.459
1437.862
1351.756
1319.529
1355.779
1060.793
992.019
1287.625
1043.206
1516.790
1437.686
1359.517
1733.418
1086.369
1373.799
1507.434
1346.773
2136.621
1314.410
1314.410
1296.130

203.454
334.765
194.366
244.124
260.714
28.097
216.823
219.783
224.867
228.477
260.418
230.000
219.726
244.914
249.336
221.969
191.944
274.369
233.286
221.723
204.842
201.783
227.600
201.808
205.814
209.100
211.625
213.022
231.541
229.564
161.330
233.344
174.954
198.463
197.527
217.724
228.594
214.979
214.985
219.693
302.769
209.197
209.197
226.655

0 to 60

8.10765 1750.286

235.000

60 to 150

7.96681 1668.210
7.00646 1460.183
7.00154 1476.393

228.000
214.827
213.872

-20 to 140

8.09083
8.69016
7.16871
7.19578
7.58178
6.16501
6.90253
6.87689
6.88555
6.86839
7.52823
7.87863
7.06524
7.09084
7.09349
7.06356
6.67272
8.40919
7.33690
6.82827
7.03358
7.11562
7.28166
6.93764
6.95777
6.91874
6.88814
6.93637
6.84471
6.73457
7.18246
6.84268
7.13301
7.74416
7.74021
7.71423
7.01443
7.04115
7.06623
6.95805
8.64344
6.95185
6.95185
7.21010

87 p-Xylene

6.98820 1451.792

215.110

nts in the subsequent spreadsheets

TWO-COMPONENT DISTILLATION: ESTIMATION OF RELATIVE VOLATILITY

Parameters for Chosen Set of Components
Component A

Antoine's Equation Coefficients for

A=
6.89272
B=
1203.531
C=
219.888
z1, FEED

Component B

Benzene

Antoine's Equation Coefficients for

A=
6.95805
B=
1346.773
C=
219.693

B
( A T C
)

P=10
0.5

Partial Pressure
P1*(T)

Benzene

Toluene

z2, FEED

Benzene

Temperature =

78

50.000 C

271.236 mm Hg

Toluene

P =10
0.5

Partial Pressure
P2*(T)

B
( AT C
)

Toluene

Temperature =

50.000

92.114 mm Hg

Component A should be the more volatile of the two components (higher P*(T) value) - switch the components if this is not the case.

Bubble Temperature (BUBBLE T) Calculation

Pressure

760 mm Hg

x1

0.5
TBP=
PTOTAL=

x2

Benzene

0.5

92.116 C
760.0000305164 mm Hg

P1*

542.333 mm Hg

P2*

217.667 mm Hg

y1

0.714

y2

0.286

Toluene

PTOTAL=x 1 P1 (T bp )+x 2 P2 (T bp )

Bubble T Equation:

P1*+P2*

760.000 mm Hg

Dew Temperature (DEW T) Calculation

Pressure

760 mm Hg

y1

0.5

TDP=

98.777 C

xi

0.9999

x1

0.291

x2

0.709

y2

Benzene

0.5

y P

Toluene

y PTOTAL

x i= P1 (TTOTAL) + P2

Dew T Equation:

dp

2 (T dp )

=1

0
1

Estimate the Relative Volatility of the Two Components

Average Temperature

95.446 C

yA
AB =

xA
yB
xB

Partial Pressure
P1*(T)

Temperature =

Relative Volatility AB

2.4635812098

95.446 C

1191.350 mm Hg

Equilibrium Data - for y vs. x Operating Line on McCabe-Thiele Diagram

Use Bubble T calculation approach:
xA

PTOTAL

TBP, C

yA

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

760.0001
759.9994
760.0006
760.0009
760.0001
760.0000
759.9991
760.0000
760.0000
760.0000
759.9999

110.6
106.1
102.1
98.5
95.1
92.1
89.3
86.8
84.4
82.2
80.1

0.000
0.209
0.376
0.511
0.622
0.714
0.791
0.856
0.911
0.959
1.000

P
P

PA

PB

Partial Pressure
P2*(T)

Temperature =

Relative Volatility BA

0.4059131463

483.585 mm Hg

95.446 C

0
1

COLUMN DESIGN EQUATIONS - TWO COMPONENTS

Parameters for Chosen Set of Components
Component A

Benzene

Component B

78

Toluene

AB

2.46

BB

AA

BA

0.406504065

zA, FEED

0.5

Quality of Feed (q)

Basis Flow

0
10 mol/hr

zB, FEED

Benzene

0.5

Toluene

Fenske Equation
Problem A: Given: fractional recovery of A in distillate and
B in bottoms

ln
N min =

( FR A ) DIST ( FR B )BOT
[1( FR A )DIST ][1( FR B )BOT ]

Problem B: Given: mole fraction of A or B in distillate and

bottoms product

ln
N min=

ln AB

FRA, DISTILLATE

0.95

Benzene

xA, DISTILLATE

FRB, BOTTOM

0.95

Toluene

xB, BOTTOM

Nmin

6.5420248922

{( ) ( ) }
xA
xB

DIST

xA
xB

BOT

ln AB
0.979269497

Benzene

0.99462004

Toluene

Nmin

10.09337884

Nmin, feed

1.567154753

Underwood Equation
VFEED

VFEED, TEST

10
1.7299967254

V FEED=

9.9998936924
5

D
VMIN

V min =

15.664310222

LMIN

10.664310222

(L/D)MIN

2.1328620444

AB Fz A BB FzB
+
=F(1q )
AB BB

AB Dx A , DIST BB Dx B , DIST
+
AB
BB

Lmin=V minD

Problem A: Given: fractional recovery of A in distillate and

B in bottoms - calculate mole fractions

Problem B: Given: mole fraction of A or B in distillate and

bottoms product - calculate fractional recoveries

xA, DISTILLATE

0.95

Benzene

FRA, DISTILLATE

xB, BOTTOM

0.95

Toluene

FRB, BOTTOM

Nmin, feed

Benzene

0.99462004

Toluene

3.2710124461

ln
N F ,min =

0.979269497

Dx

{( ) ( )}
xA
xB

DIST

A , DIST
( FR A ) DIST = Fz
A

zA
zB

( FRB ) BOT =

Bx A , BOT
Fz A

ln AB

Gilliland Correlation
L/D Scaling
L/D (actual)
Abscissa
[N-Nmin]/(N+1)
Nactual

1.5
L
L

3.1992930666
D
D
0.2539548932 Abscissa =
L

0.4064336199

11.70628719

Nmin, feed

3.2710124461

Nfeed, actual

5.8531435951

N F =N F ,min

+1

N
N min

( )

min

Gilliland Correlation under different Abscissa Ranges:

0<x<0.01
-3.7163232989
[N-Nmin]/(N+1)
0.01<x<0.9
0.4064336199
0.9<x<1

0.1238061855

McCABE-THIELE DIAGRAMS FOR SOLVING DISTILLATION PROBLEMS

Parameters for Chosen Set of Components
Component A

Benzene

Component B

Benzene

78

Toluene

zA, FEED

0.5

zB, FEED

0.5

xA,DIST

0.95

xB,DIST

0.05

xA,BOT

0.05

xB,BOT

0.95

L/D
L/V

Toluene

Type "T" for total reflux

1.00

Quality of Feed (q)

Basis Flow

0
10 mol/hr

y vs. x Equilibrium Relationship

PTOTAL=x 1 P1 (T bp )+x 2 P2 (T bp )

Use Bubble T calculation approach:

xA

yA

yA

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

0.000
0.209
0.376
0.511
0.622
0.714
0.791
0.856
0.911
0.959
1.000

0.000
0.208
0.376
0.512
0.622
0.713
0.790
0.855
0.911
0.959
1.000

The y vs x values are automatically entered into this table if you've solved the
bubble T calculation using the Ideal T - 2 cpts worksheet

Polynomial Fit: Input these coefficients yourself from graph:

y A = Ax 4 +Bx 3 +Cx 2 + Dx+ E

A=
B=
C=
D=
E=

-0.4811
1.6316
-2.4594
2.3081
0.0004

Feed and Operating Lines

FEED LINE

TOP OPERATING LINE

Slope

Intercept

0.5

q
1
y A=
x +
z
q1 A 1q A , FEED

Slope

1.00

BOTTOM OPERATING LINE

x1

Intercept

0.00

y1

0.5

x2

0.05

y2

0.05
1

L
L
y A = x A + 1 x A , DIST
V
V

( )

Slope

xA

yA

xA

yA

0
0.1
0.2
0.3

0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

0
0.1
0.2
0.3

0
0.1
0.2
0.3

0.399999
0.4
0.400001
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

Intercept

0.000
0.291

yA
Appropriate Intercept Value:

If q is equal to 1: xA
yA

0.5002365317
xA

0.2907489187

yA

0.5002365317

L
L
y A= x A + 1 x A , BOT
V
V

( )

Feed Line/VLE Intercept

If q is not 1: y difference
xA

0.5

0.500
0.71348125

xA

yA

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

Stepping off Stages

Keep copying the four-row block at the end (ie. A134-->F137) until you have found the total number of equilibrium trays
TRAY NUMBER Variable
Starting Point: xA,DIST
yA
1
Step Down 1
2

xA

3
Step Down 3
4

6
Step Down 6
7
Step Down 7
8

10

11

0.8794815
0.7416845

yA

0.8794414102

0.535

0.7416979

xA

0.535

0.534965

0.8794815257

0.320

0.5351726

xA

0.742

0.320

0.3196619

yA

0.7416845013

0.164

0.3200558

0.164

0.1642626

xA

12

13

14

0.1643739

xA

0.535

0.077

0.0770532

yA

0.5349650493

0.034

0.0760635

xA

0.034

0.033985

0.5351725614

0.032

0.0711697

xA

0.320

0.032

0.0317106

yA

0.3196619224

0.014

0.0316374

xA

15

0.013733

0.012

0.0271551

xA

0.164

0.012

0.0117375

yA

0.164262605

0.005

0.011063

0.005

0.0046427

xA

0.164 Keep Counting Stages

More Equilibrium Trays Required

0.3200557516

0.077 Keep Counting Stages

More Equilibrium Trays Required

More Equilibrium Trays Required

yA

0.1643739355

0.002

0.0046365

xA

0.077

0.002

0.0018391

yA

0.0770531582

0.001

0.0018224

0.001

0.0006167

xA

0.034 Last Required Stage

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

yA

0.0760635337

0.000

0.0005956

xA

0.034

0.000

8.48E-005

yA

0.0339849589

0.000

6.19E-005

0.000

-0.000146

xA

0.032 Calculation Complete

0.032

yA

0.0317105844

xA

0.014 Calculation Complete

0.014

yA

0.0137329653
0.012 Calculation Complete
0.012

yA

0.0117374951
0.005 Calculation Complete
0.005

yA

0.0046427308
0.002 Calculation Complete
0.002

yA

0.001839077
0.001 Calculation Complete
0.001

yA

0.0006166727
0.000 Calculation Complete

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.0005956099

xA

0.000

yA

0.000084757

xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.0018224074

xA
xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.0046364657

xA
xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.0110630378

xA
xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.027155113

xA
xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.0316374369

xA
xA

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

0.071169663

xA

yA
Step Down 15

0.320 Keep Counting Stages

0.014

yA
Step Down 14

More Equilibrium Trays Required

0.077

yA
Step Down 13

0.535 Keep Counting Stages

More Equilibrium Trays Required

0.7416978946

yA
Step Down 12

0.742 Keep Counting Stages

yA

yA
Step Down 11

0.8794414

0.742

yA
Step Down 10

0.9500886

0.879

0.879

yA
Step Down 9

0.879

xA

yA
Step Down 8

More Equilibrium Trays Required

y
0.95

0.742

yA
Step Down 5

0.95
0.879 Keep Counting Stages

x
0.95

0.9500885914

yA
Step Down 4

0.95

yA

yA
Step Down 2

Value

0.000 Calculation Complete

6.1853633E-005

xA

0.000

yA

-0.0001464813

6.6281469539 Equilibrium Trays Required

xD line
0.95

0.95

xB line
0.05

0.05

f(x) = - 0.4810664338x^4 + 1.6315617433x^3 - 2.4593804585x^2 + 2.3081085038x + 0.0004213955

yA

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0

0.1
xA,BOT

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

xA
y vs. x VLE Polynomial
Fit:

VLE Equilibrium
Line

y=x
Line

Top Operating
Line

0.9

1
xA,DIST

Bottom Operating
Line

Feed
Line

THRE-COMPONENT DISTILLATION: ESTIMATION OF RELATIVE VOLATILITY

Parameters for Chosen Set of Components
LIGHT KEY COMPONENT
Component A

78

Antoine's Equation Coefficients for

A=
6.95805
B=
1346.773
C=
219.693
z1, FEED

Toluene
B
( A T C
)
P =10

0.3

Partial Pressure
P1*(T)

HEAVY KEY COMPONENT

Component B

Toluene

50.000 C

Antoine's Equation Coefficients for

A=
6.93619
B=
1460.31
C=
207.701

92.114 mm Hg

Cumene
B
( A T C
)
P =10

z1, FEED

Cumene

Temperature =

Benzene

Antoine's Equation Coefficients for

A=
6.89272
B=
1203.531
C=
219.888

0.3

Partial Pressure
P2*(T)

NON-KEY COMPONENT
Component C

Cumene

z2, FEED

Toluene

Temperature =

21

50.000

Partial Pressure
P1*(T)

18.600 mm Hg

Benzene

B
( AT C
)

P =10
0.4

Benzene

Temperature =

50.000 C

271.236 mm Hg

Bubble Temperature (BUBBLE T) Calculation

Pressure

760 mm Hg

x1

0.3
TBP=
PTOTAL=

Toluene

x2

0.3

x2

Cumene

0.4

Benzene

0.4

Benzene

100.306 C
759.9999997241 mm Hg

P1*

168.459 mm Hg

P2*

47.006 mm Hg

P3*

PTOTAL=x 1 P1 (T bp )+ x 2 P2 (T bp )+ x 3 P3 (T bp )

Bubble T Equation:

P1*+P2*

623.866 mm Hg

408.401

y1

0.270

y2

0.075

y3

0.655

Dew Temperature (DEW T) Calculation

Pressure

760 mm Hg

y1

0.3

TDP=

Toluene

y2

0.3

123.942 C

xi

1.0000

x1

0.208

x2

0.668

x3

0.123

y P

y3

Cumene

y P

y P

+ 3 TOTAL =1
x i= P1 (TTOTAL) + P2 (TOTAL
T ) P (T )

Dew T Equation:

dp

dp

dp

Estimate the Relative Volatilities of the Two Components

Average Temperature

yA

112.124 C
AB=

xA
yB
xB

P
P

PA
PB

Partial Pressure
P1*(T)

Temperature =

Relative Volatility AB

3.3809878333

Relative Volatility BB

Relative Volatility CB

7.898303479

Relative Volatility AA

Relative Volatility BA

0.2957715465

Relative Volatility CB

2.3360934344

792.987 mm Hg

112.124 C

Partial Pressure
P2*(T)

Temperature =
234.543 mm Hg

112.124 C

Partial Pressure
P2*(T)

Temperature =
1852.492 mm Hg

112.124 C

COLUMN DESIGN EQUATIONS - MULTIPLE COMPONENTS

Parameters for Chosen Set of Components
LIGHT KEY COMPONENT
Component A
78

HEAVY KEY COMPONENT

Component B

Toluene

AB

3.3809878333

BB

AA

BA

zA, FEED

0.3

Quality of Feed (q)

Basis Flow

0
100 mol/hr

zB, FEED

Toluene

Fenske Equation
In a multicomponent system, fractional recoveries are
usually specified:
FRA, DISTILLATE

0.95

Toluene

FRB, BOTTOM

0.95

Cumene

Nmin

4.9184225125

FRC, DISTILLATE

0.9992688854

ln
N min=

( FR A ) DIST ( FR B )B

[ 1( FR A )DIST ][ 1( F

ln AB
N

CBmin
( FR C )DIST =
( FR B ) BOT
N
+ CBmin
1( FR B )BOT

Underwood Equation
VFEED

VFEED, TEST
D
VMIN

AB Fz A BB FzB CB
+
+
AB BB CB
Dx A , DIST BB Dx B
V min = AB
+
AB
BB

100
0.6010869816

V FEED=

99.999999282
69.970755417
123.80952017

LMIN

53.838764748

(L/D)MIN

0.7694466699

xA, DISTILLATE

0.4073130243

Toluene

xB, BOTTOM

0.9490748234

Cumene

xC, DISTILLATE

0.5712494481

Benzene

Nmin, feed

2.4171043403

Lmin =V min D

( FR A ) DIST =

Dx A , DIST
Fz A

Gilliland Correlation
L/D Scaling
L/D (actual)
Abscissa

1.25
0.9618083374
0.0980532419

L
Abscissa =

L
D

D
+1

min

Gilliland Correlation under different

[N-Nmin]/(N+1)

L
Abscissa =

[N-Nmin]/(N+1)

0.4878361556

Nactual

10.555721039

Nmin, feed

2.4171043403

Nfeed, actual

5.1874923461

(L D)

min

L
D

N F =N F ,min

+1

N
N min

( )

[N-Nmin]/(N+1)

KEY COMPONENT
21

Cumene

CB

7.89830348

0.295771546

CA

2.33609343

zA, FEED

Cumene

( FR A ) DIST ( FR B )BOT
[ 1( FR A )DIST ][ 1( FRB )BOT ]

ln AB
N

CBmin
)DIST =
( FR B ) BOT
N
+ CBmin
1( FR B )BOT

AB Fz A BB FzB CB FzC
+
+
=F( 1q )
AB BB CB
AB Dx A , DIST BB Dx B , DIST CB DxC , DIST
+
+
AB
BB
CB

V min D

=
ST

Benzene

1
0.3

ln

NON-KEY COMPONENT
Component C
9

ln
N F ,min =

Dx A , DIST
Fz A

{( ) ( )}
xA
xB

DIST

zA
zB

ln AB

( FRB ) BOT =

Bx A , BOT
Fz A

d Correlation under different Abscissa Ranges:

0<x<0.01
-0.8209957821
0.01<x<0.9
0.4878361556

0.4

Benzene

0.9<x<1

0.1496780645