ChE 101 THV/MWX3

VLE Calculations Practice Problems

1. (Himmelblau Problem 19.25) An equimolar mixture of benzene(1) and toluene(2) is contained in a cylinder at
39.36 in Hg absolute. Determine the temperature range where a two phase region will exist.
2. (SVA Problem 10.9) A mixture containing equimolar amounts of benzene(l),toluene(2), and ethylbenzene(3) is
flashed to conditions T and P .
a. Calculate the bubble and dew Pressures at 110C
For each of the conditions following determine the equilibrium mole fractions {xi}and {yi}of the liquid and
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vapor phases formed and the molar fraction V of the vapor formed. Assume that Raoult s law applies.
b. T = 383.15 K ,P = 90 kPa.
c. T = 383.15 K ,P = 100 kPa.
d. T = 383.15 K ,P = 110 kPa.
e. T = 383.15 K ,P = 120 kPa.
3. A binary mixture of ethanol(1) and 1-propanol(2) in a vessel at T = 360 K exists as saturated vapor and
saturated liquid at equilibrium, with the vapor phase comprising 50.4% of the system. The composition in the
vapor phase is y1 = 0.317. For the following questions, assume Raoults law is valid.
a. What is the pressure P in the vessel?
b. At least how much should the pressure in the vessel be for the entire binary mixture to be in the liquid
phase?
c. What should be the maximum pressure so that the entire system is in the vapor phase?

4. (Felder Problem 6.60) The feed to a distillation column is 45% by mole n-pentane(1) and 55% n-hexane liquid
mixture. The vapor stream leaving the top of the column, which is 98% by mole pentane goes to a total
condenser in which all vapor is condensed. Half of the liquid condensate is returned tot eh top of the
column as reflux and the rest is withdrawn as overhead product (Distillate) at a rate of 85kmol/hr. The
distillate contains 95% of the pentane fed to the column. The liquid stream leaving the bottom of the column
goes to a reboiler. Part of the stream is vaporized; The vapor is recycled to the bottom of the column (boilup)
and the residual liquid is withdrawn as a bottoms product.
a. Calculate the molar flowrate and composition of the feed and bottoms product stream.
b. Estimate the temperature of the vapor entering the condenser, assuming that it is saturated at an
absolute pressure of 1 atm.
c. Estimate the temperature of the reboiler and the composition of the vapor boilup, again assuming
operation at 1 atm.

5. (Felder Problem 6.65) A mixture containing 30% by mole benzene (1) and 70% toluene(2) at 1 atm is cooled
isobarically in a closed container at an initial temperature of 115C.
a. At what temperature does the first drop of condensate form?
b. At one point the process is 115C, use the provided Txy diagram to estimate the mole fraction of
benzene in the vapor and liquid phase, the molar ratio of total moles vapor to the total moles in the
liquid phase (V/L)
c. At what temperature does the last bubble of vapor condense? What is its composition?

Solve number 5 first using the provided Phase diagrams below, then compare your answers if you solve this
using Raoults Law.

MSPDEANG 2016
Table of Antoine Coefficients (Source: Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 7th
edition by Smith, Vanness and Abbot)

MSPDEANG 2016