5/13/2019

MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO

HPREPARED BY:

GROUP 3

CLASS: 400 LEVEL

COURSE CODE: CHE 451
 CONTENTS

Definition of minimum reflux ratio.

Significance of minimum reflux ratio.

Theory of minimum reflux ratio.

Calculations on minimum reflux ratio.

 DEFINITION OF MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO
The minimum reflux ratio (Rm) is the lowest value of reflux at
which separation can be achieved even with an infinite number
of plates. It is possible to achieve a separation at any reflux
ratio above the minimum reflux ratio thus as the reflux ratio
increase, the number of theoretical plates required decreases.
At point N the reflux operating line crosses the equilibrium
curve for the first time. This is the point where the driving force
for mass transfer is zero. Point N is known as the pinch point,
separation is not possible at this point.
We cannot reduce R beyond this point. The value of R at this point
is known as the minimum reflux ratio and is designated Rm ,thus
the condition for Rm occurs when the Reflux operating line joins a
point on the equilibrium curve with minimum reflux ratio ,we are
returning the minimum amount of liquid to the column .

SIGNIFICANCE OF MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO

 It helps in determining the minimum heat and coolant

supply required for the reboiler and the condenser.

 It also corresponds to the minimum reboiler heat load and

condenser load for the separation.

 It helps in determining the maximum ratio which will

require an infinite number of trays for the desired

separation.
 THEORY OF MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO

As the reflux ratio is reduced, the distance between the operating

line and the equilibrium curve becomes smaller. The minimum
reflux ratio Rm is the limiting reflux where the operating line
either touches the equilibrium curve or intersects the equilibrium
curve at the q-line. The minimum reflux ratio will require an
infinite number of trays to attain the specified separation of xD
and xB. Figure 4.4-10 shows an equilibrium plate n with streams
Ln-1 and Vn+1 entering and streams Ln and Vn leave the plate. If
the two steams Ln-1 and Vn+1 are at equilibrium there will be no
net mass transfer between the liquid and vapor streams. The
equilibrium curve will touch or intersect the operating line at this
point.

n-1
L Ln-1 Vn
n

L Ln Vn+1
n+1
Given q, xD and xF, the feed line is fixed and the upper operating
line depends on the reflux ratio R. At total reflux, the operating
line coincides with the 45o line. As R is decreased, the slope of the
enriching operating line R/(R + 1) is decreased. The operating line
will rotate clockwise around the point (x = xD, y = xD ) until it is
tangent to the equilibrium curve or it intersects the q-line at the
equilibrium point whichever comes first. The location where the
operating line touches or intersects the equilibrium curve is called
the pinch point. The enriching operating line at minimum reflux
is then defined.

yn+1 =[Rm / (Rm+1 )xn + [1/(R m + 1 ) ] xD

The minimum reflux Rm can be obtained from the above equation

through the intercept of the slope of the enriching operating line
from our equilibrium curve on the graph.

It can also be gotten from the UNDERWOOD EQUATION for a

binary mixture which is given below.

Rm = [1/(α-1)] [(xd/xf ) – ( α{1-xd}/{1 - xf} ) ]

Where α is the relative volatility.
CALCULATIONS ON MINIMUM REFLUX RATIO
EXAMPLE 1
A liquid containing four components, A, B, C and D, with 0.3
mole fraction each of A, B and C, is to be continuously
fractionated to give a top product of 0.9 mole fraction A
and 0.1 mole fraction B. The bottoms are to contain not more
than 0.5 mole fraction A. Estimate the minimum reflux ratio
required for this separation, if the relative volatility of A to B is
2.0.

Solution
The given data may be tabulated as follows:
Feed Top Bottoms
A 0.3 0.9 0.05
B 0.3 0.1
C 0.3 —
D 0.1 —

The Underwood equation may be used to find the minimum

number of plates and the minimum reflux ratio for a binary

system. For a multicomponent system nm may be found by using

the two key components in place of the binary system and the
relative volatility between those components in the given equation
enables the minimum reflux ratio Rm to be found. Using the feed
and top compositions of component A:

Rm = [1/(α-1)] [(xd/xf ) – ( α{1-xd}/{1 - xf} ) ]

Rm = [1/(2-1)][(0.9/0.3 ) – ( 2{1-0.9}/{1 – 0.3})]
= 2.71

Therefore Rm = 2.71

EXAMPLE 2

A continuous fractionating column is required to separate a

mixture containing 0.695 mole fraction n-heptane (C7H16) and
0.305 mole fraction n-octane (C8H18) into products of 99 mole
per cent purity, the equilibrium data is given below as:

Mole fraction of 0.96 0.91 0.83 0.74 0.65 0.50 0.37 0.24
Heptane in vapour

Mole fraction of 0.92 0.82 0.69 0.57 0.46 0.32 0.22 0.13
Heptane in liquid

Determine the minimum reflux ratio required.

Solution
n-heptane = component A = MVC
n-octane = component B = LVC

For MVC Xf = 0.695 Xd = 0.99

Xd /(Rm+1)

0.475

Xf Xd

0.695 0.99

The equilibrium curve is plotted in above. As the feed is at its

boiling-point, the q-line is vertical and the minimum reflux ratio
may be found by joining the point (xd, xd ) with the intersection of
the q-line and the equilibrium curve. This line when produced to
the y-axis gives an intercept of 0.475.

Thus: 0.475 = xD/(Rm + 1)

Making Rm the subject of the formula

Rm = 1.08