Chapter 4

Example 4.4-5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

A liquid mixture containing 10 mol % n-heptane and 90 mol % n-octane is fed at its boiling
point to the top of a stripping tower at 101.32 kPa. Figure E4.4-5 depicts a stripping tower
where the feed stream is the saturated liquid and the distillate stream is the saturated vapor.
There is no reboiler or condenser in a stripping tower. The bottoms are to contain 98 mol %
n-octane. For every 3 mol of feed, 2 mol of vapor is withdrawn as product. Calculate the
composition of the vapor and the number of theoretical plates required. The equilibrium data
are given below
x
y

0
0

0.012
0.025

0.039
0.078

0.067
0.131

0.097
0.184

0.284
0.459

V=D
F

B
Figure E4.4-5 Stripping tower with feed F and product D = V.
Solution -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------F = 3 = D + B = 2 + B B = 1 mol/unit time
50 = 0.90D + 0.10B D = 50 kmol/h, B = 50 kmol/h
Operating line
yV + xBB = xL y = xL/V xBB/V = 1.5x 0.021/2 = 1.5x 0.01
Overall balance
yDD + xBB = xFF yD = xFF/D xBB/D = 0.11.5 0.021/2 = 0.14
The number of theoretical plates required can be determined from the following
Matlab codes:
1

Geankoplis, C.J., Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles, 4th ed., Prentice Hall, 2003, p. 754

4-49

% Example 4.4-5
clf
xB=0.02;
V=2;L=3; B=1;
% Stripping operating line: y = a*x + b, where
a=L/V;b=-xB*B/V;
xF=0.10;yF=a*xF+b;
xe=[0 0.012 0.039 0.067 0.097 0.284];
ye=[0 0.025 0.078 0.131 0.184 0.459];
pp=spline(xe,ye);
x=0:0.01:0.15;
y=ppval(pp,x);
plot(x,y,[0 .15],[0 .15],[xB xF],[xB yF],[xF xF],[xF yF],'--')
xlabel('x');ylabel('y')
hold on;
xo=xB;yo=xB;
for i=1:20;
ye=ppval(pp,xo);
line([xo xo],[yo ye])
xe=xo;
xo=(ye-b)/a;
line([xe xo],[ye ye])
if ye>yF, break, end
yo=ye;
end
net=i-1 + (yF-yo)/(ye-yo);
fprintf('# of equilibrium stages = %g\n',net)
>> E4d4d5
# of equilibrium stages = 3.84557

4-50

Example 4.4-6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------2

A liquid feed at the boiling point contains 3.3 mol %
ethanol and 96.7 mol % water and enters the top tray of a
stripping tower shown.
F
Saturated steam is injected directly into liquid in the bottom
xF
of the tower. The overhead vapor which is withdrawn
contains 99% of the alcohol in the feed. Assume equimolar
overflow for this problem. Equilibrium data for mole
L V
fraction of alcohol are as follows at 101.32 kPa abs
y
x
pressure.
x
y

0
0

0.0080
0.0750

0.020
0.175

0.0296
0.250

V, yD

0.033
0.270

S (Steam)

B, xB

(a) For an infinite number of theoretical steps, calculate the minimum moles of steam
needed per mole of feed. (Be sure and plot the q-line)
(b) Using twice the minimum moles of steam, calculate the number of theoretical steps
needed, the composition of the overhead vapor, and the bottoms composition.
Solution -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(a) Basis: F = 100 mol/h. For equimolar overflow S = V and B = F = 100 mol/h
2

Geankoplis, C.J., Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles, 4th ed., Prentice Hall, 2003, p. 754

4-51

F+S=V+B
Ethanol balance:
xFF = xBB + yDV
(0.033)(100) = xB(100) + yDV
From the problem statement: yDV = (0.99)(0.033)(100) and xB(100) = (0.01)(100)(0.033)
xB = 0.00033
For infinite number of trays, yD is in equilibrium with xF = 0.033 yD = 0.27
yDV = (99)(0.033) Vmin = (99)(0.033)/0.27 = 12.1 mol/h = Smin
Minimum 0.121 mol steam/mol feed
(b) Using twice the minimum moles of steam, calculate the number of theoretical steps
needed, the composition of the overhead vapor, and the bottoms composition.
S = 2Smin = 24.2 mol/h
Since the overhead vapor contains 99% of the alcohol in the feed, xB = 0.00033
Ethanol balance over the top part of the tower:
100(xF x) = 24.2(yD y)
At the bottom: y = 0, x = xB = 0.00033 yD = (100)(0.033 0.00033)/24.2 = 0.135
Operating line: 100(0.033 x) = 24.2(0.135 y)
The number of theoretical steps can be determined from the following Matlab codes:
% Example E4d4d6
clf
xB=0.00033;xF=0.033;yD = 0.135;
% Operating line: 100(0.033 - x) = 24.2(0.135 - y)
xe=[0
0.0080
0.020 0.0296
0.033];
ye=[0
0.0750
0.175 0.250 0.270];
pp=spline(xe,ye);
x=0:0.001:0.033;
y=ppval(pp,x);
yF=ppval(pp,xF);
plot(x,y,[0 .035],[0 .035],[xB xF],[0 yD],[xF xF],[xF yF],'--')
xlabel('x');ylabel('y')
4-52

hold on;
xo=xB;yo=0;
for i=1:20;
ye=ppval(pp,xo);
line([xo xo],[yo ye])
xe=xo;
xo=xF-.242*(0.135-ye);
line([xe xo],[ye ye])
if ye>yD, break, end
yo=ye;
end
net=i-1 + (yD-yo)/(ye-yo);
fprintf('# of equilibrium stages = %g\n',net)
>> s5p3
# of equilibrium stages = 4.73777

Example 4.4-7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

(a) For the cascade shown below, calculate the composition of streams V4 and L1. Assume
constant molar overflow, atmospheric pressure, saturated liquid and vapor feeds, and the
vapor-liquid equilibrium data given below.
x
y

0
0

0.10
0.20

0.30
0.50

0.50
0.68

J. D. Seader and E. J. Henley, Separation Process Principles, Wiley, 1998

4-53

0.70
0.82

0.90
0.94

1.000
1.000

Total
condenser
100 moles

V4

70% alcohol
30% water

V4

LR

D
50 moles

1
100 moles
30% alcohol
70% water

L1

100 moles
30% alcohol
70% water

L1
(b)

(a)

Figure E4.4-7 Vapor-liquid equilibrium cascade.

(b) Given the feed compositions in cascade (a), how many stages would be required to
produce a V4 containing 85% alcohol?
(c) For the configuration in cascade (b), with D = 50 moles what are the composition of D
and L1?
(d) For the configuration in cascade (b), how many stages are required to produce a D of
50% alcohol?
Solution -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alcohol balance over the lower section of the cascade gives:
Lx1 + Vy = Lx + Vy0
Since L = V = 100 moles, we have
y = x + y0 x1 = x + 0.3 x1
This operating line will terminate on the line y0 = 0.3 and x5 = 0.7 and provide 4 equilibrium
stages. Composition of streams V4 and L1 can be determined from the following procedure:

4-54

Assume a value for x1 (between 0.15 and 0.30) and step off between the equilibrium curve
and the operating line to obtain 4 equilibrium stages. If the composition of x5 is equal to 0.7
then y4 is the correct composition of stream V4.

The procedure can be accomplished by the following Matlab codes:

% Example E4d4d7
clf
x5=0.7;y0 = 0.3;
% Operating line: 100(0.033 - x) = 24.2(0.135 - y)
xe=[0 0.10 0.30 0.50 0.70 0.90 1.000];
ye=[0 0.20 0.50 0.68 0.82 0.94 1.000];
pp=spline(xe,ye);
x=0:0.01:1;
y=ppval(pp,x);
plot(x,y,[0 1],[0 1],[x5 x5],[0 1],'--',[0 1],[y0 y0],'--')
xlabel('x');ylabel('y')
hold on;
x1=input('x1( between 0.15 and 0.30) = ');
xo=x1;yo=y0;
for i=1:4;
ye=ppval(pp,xo);
line([xo xo],[yo ye])
xe=xo;
xo=ye+x1-y0;
4-55

line([xe xo],[ye ye])

yo=ye;
end
fprintf('x5 = %g\n',xo)
line([x1 x5],[y0 yo])
>> E4d4d7
x1( between 0.15 and 0.30) = .237
x5 = 0.700456

(b) Given the feed compositions in cascade (a), how many stages would be required to
produce a V4 containing 85% alcohol?
Alcohol balance over the cascade gives:
Lx1 + Vy4 = Lx5 + Vy0
Since L = V = 100 moles, we have
x1 = x5 + y0 y4 = 0.7 + 0.3 0.85 = 0.15
Plot operating line {[0.15 0.7], [0.3 0.85]}, the operating line intersects the equilibrium
curves. A vapor stream containing 85% alcohol cannot be obtained (infinite number of stages
required).

4-56

(c) For the configuration in cascade (b), with D = 50 moles what are the composition of D
and L1?
Lx + DxD = Vy y = (L/V)x + (D/V)xD
L + D = V L = V D = 100 50 = 50 moles
Operating line: y = 0.5x + 0.5xD
This operating line will terminate on the line y0 = 0.3 and y = x and provide 4 equilibrium
stages. Composition of streams D and L1 can be determined from the following procedure:
Assume a value for xD (between 0.15 and 0.30) and step off between the equilibrium curve
and the operating line to obtain 4 equilibrium stages. If the composition of y0 is equal to 0.3
then xD is the correct composition of stream D.

4-57

The procedure can be accomplished by the following Matlab codes:

% Operating line: 100(0.033 - x) = 24.2(0.135 - y)
xe=[0 0.10 0.30 0.50 0.70 0.90 1.000];
ye=[0 0.20 0.50 0.68 0.82 0.94 1.000];
pp=spline(xe,ye);
x=0:0.01:1;
y=ppval(pp,x);
plot(x,y,[0 1],[0 1],[0 y0],[y0 y0],'--')
xlabel('x');ylabel('y')
hold on;
xD=input('xD( between 0.3 and 0.95) = ');
pp=spline(ye,xe);
yo=xD;xo=xD;
for i=1:4;
xe=ppval(pp,yo);
line([xe xo],[yo yo])
ye=yo;
yo=.5*xe+.5*xD;
line([xe xe],[yo ye])
xo=xe;
end
fprintf('y0 = %g, x1 = %g\n',yo,xo)
line([xo xD],[yo xD])
>> s5p4c
xD( between 0.3 and 0.95) = .445
y0 = 0.300531, x1 = 0.156062

4-58

(d) For the configuration in cascade (b), how many stages are required to produce a D of
50% alcohol?
y = (L/V)x + (D/V)xD = 0.5x + 0.25
At y = 0.3 x = 2(0.3 0.25) = 0.1
Operating line: [0.1 0.5], [0.3 0.5]. The operating line intersects equilibrium curve infinite
number of stage.

4-59

4.5 Tray Efficiency

For an equilibrium tray, the vapor and liquid leaving the tray are in thermodynamic
equilibrium. In a real tray, equilibrium will rarely be attained. The concept of tray efficiency
is used to link the performance of a real tray to an equilibrium tray. Tray efficiencies can be
defined in several ways:
The overall efficiency, Eo, is given by
Eo = Nequil/Nactual
The overall efficiency is extremely easy to measure and use; thus, it is the most
commonly used efficiency value in the plant. However, the overall efficiency is not
representative of column operation because the different compositions on the various trays
result in different tray efficiencies. The overall column efficiency6 can be estimated from
Eo = 0.52782 0.27511log10() + 0.044923[log10()]2
where = relative volatility of key components, and = viscosity of feed in cP. These
properties are determined at the average temperature and pressure of the column.

Murphree plate efficiency

The Murphree vapor efficiency is defined as
EMV =

yn - yn+1
actual change in vapor
=
y*n - yn+1 change in vapor at equilibrium

while the Murphree liquid efficiency is defined as

EML =

actual change in liquid

xn - xn-1
=
x*n - xn-1 change in liquid at equilibrium

yn

xn-1

Tray n

Murphree efficiency model

yn+1

xn

Point efficiency

Wankat, Equilibrium Staged Separation, Elsevier, 1988, pg. 383

4-60

If the vapor and liquid compositions are taken at a point on the plate, the above
equation gives the local or point efficiency
Estimating Murphree tray efficiencies
The prediction methods available in the open literature are limited either to binary
systems or to the efficiency of separation between the key components in a multi-component
system. In a binary system, the efficiency obtained for each component must be the same.
For a multi-component system; the heavier components will usually exhibit lower
efficiencies than the lighter components. The following guide rule can be used to estimate the
efficiencies for a multi-component system from binary data:
- If the components are similar, the multi-component efficiencies will be similar to
the binary efficiency.
- If the predicted efficiencies for the binary pairs are high, the multi-component
efficiency will be high.
- If the resistance to mass transfer is mainly in the liquid phase, the difference
between the binary and multi-component efficiencies will be small.
- If the resistance is mainly in the vapor phase, as it normally will be, the difference
between the binary and multi-component efficiencies can be substantial.
For mixtures with dissimilar compounds, the efficiency can be very different from the
predicted for each binary pair, and laboratory or pilot-plant studies should be made to
confirm any predictions.
Van Winkle's correlation can be used to predict plate efficiencies for binary systems.
The data used to derive the correlation covered both bubble-cap and sieve plates.
EMV = 0.07 Dg0.14 Sc0.25 Re0.08
where
Dg = surface tension number = (L/Luv),
uv = superficial vapor velocity,
L = liquid surface tension,
L = liquid viscosity,
Sc = liquid Schmidt number = (L/LDLK),
L = liquid density,
DLK = liquid diffusivity, light key component,
Re = Reynolds number = (hwuvv/L(FA)),
hw = weir height,
v = vapor density,
(FA) = fractional area = (area of holes or risers)/(total column cross-sectional area)
To evaluate the terms for the plate efficiency (if data are not available)
- Calculate vapor density from the ideal gas equation
- Calculate the density of the liquid mixture as the mole fraction average molar
volume
- Calculate liquid mixture viscosity by using the expression

n
1/ 3
L,mix = xi i
i =1

4-61

- Calculate the diffusivity of the liquid light key component by the dilute solution of
Wilke and Chang.
Example 4.5-1. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Determine the overall efficiency of a distillation column used to separate acetone from
water5. The average temperature and pressure of the column are 83oC and 1 atm,
respectively. The feed is saturated liquid with mole fraction of acetone equal to 0.033
corresponding to equilibrium vapor mole fraction of 0.421.
Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The overall column efficiency can be estimated from
Eo = 0.52782 0.27511log10() + 0.044923[log10()]2
=

0.421/ 0.033
y/x
=
= 21.3
(1 y ) /(1 x )
(1 9.421) /(1 0.033)

Viscosities of acetone and water can be obtained from T.K. Prop4 program at 83oC and 1
atm.
acetone = 0.190 cp, water = 0.350 cp
The mixture viscosity is then
3

3
n
1/ 3
L,mix = xi i = 0.033 0.1901/ 3 + 0.0967 0.3501/ 3
i =1

mix = 0.343 cp
= 7.31 log10() = 0.864
The overall column efficiency is then
Eo = 0.52782 0.27511log10() + 0.044923[log10()]2 = 0.324

Sinnot, R.K. Coulson & Richardsons, Chemical Engineering. Boston: Butterworth and Heinemann, 1999.

4-62

Example 4.5-2. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Determine the plate efficiency of a distillation column used to separate acetone from water5.
The plate is at 79oC and 1.14 bar. The cross-sectional area of the column is 0.50 m2. The
vapor volumetric flow rate is 0.81 m3/s. The following data are provided
hw (m)
Ah (m2)
L (kg/m3)
v (kg/m3)
L(kg/ms)
v(kg/ms)
925
1.35
0.3410-3
10.010-6
5010-3
0.038
Atomic volume of
m3/kmol

C
0.0148

H
0.0037

O
0.0074

Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We will first calculate the diffusivity of acetone in water at 79oC using Wilke Chang
equation:

1.173 1016 ( Mw ) T
DL =
Vm0.6
0.5

In this equation, = 2.26 for water solvent, Mw = 58, T = 273 + 79 = 352 K, and for acetone
(C3H6O)
Vm = 0.01483 + 0.00376 + 0.0074 = 0.074 m3/kmol
DL =

1.173 1016 ( 2.26 58 )

0.5

( 0.34 10 ) ( 0.074 )
3

( 352 )

0.6

= 6.6310-9 m2/s

The plate efficiency can be estimated from

EMV = 0.07 Dg0.14 Sc0.25 Re0.08

Dg = surface tension number = (L/Luv),
uv = superficial vapor velocity =

0.81
= 1.62 m/s
0.50

L = liquid surface tension = 6010-3 N/m

60 103
Dg =
= 109
( 0.34 103 ) (1.62 )
Sc = (L/LDLK) =

0.34 103
= 55.4
( 925) ( 6.63 109 )

Sinnot, R.K. Coulson & Richardsons, Chemical Engineering. Boston: Butterworth and Heinemann, 1999.

4-63

Re = Reynolds number = (hwuvv/L(FA)),

FA =

Ah
0.038
=
= 0.076
Ac
0.50

( 50 10 ) (1.62 )(1.35)
Re =
( 0.34 10 ) ( 0.076 )
3

= 4232

EMV = 0.07 Dg0.14 Sc0.25 Re0.08 = 0.07 (109)0.14 (55.4)0.25 (4232)0.08 = 0.72
The efficiency of the plate is 72%.

4-64