CHAPTER 2

DISTILLATION
CLB 20804
MASS TRANSFER 1

MULTI COMPONENT SYSTEM

Separation of more than two components.
Base on the relative volatility i value of

each components, (light or heavy

components)
A

A, B

Key component:
-light key
A,
B,C

-Heavy key

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
For non ideal solution (hydrocarbons), the
equilibrium data can be described by K factors
(distribution coefficient)

yi K i x i
yi
Ki
xi

K= ratio of mole fraction in vapor and liquid

phases at equilibrium
The value of K are available from Depriester Chart.

Raoults law

(ideal system)
K (for non ideal
systemdependant on T
and P)

y A K A xA

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Phase equilibrium in multicomponent
For ideal solutions, the equilibrium data can be

calculated from the Raoults and Daltons Law

pi
yi
P

pi x P

o
i i

(Raoults Law)

finally

x i Pio Pio
Ki

Px i
P

(Daltons Law)

p A PA x A
yA

K A xA
P
P

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Phase equilibrium in multicomponent
Relative volatility (i) for each component in a

multicomponent can be defined similar with

binary mixture.
If component C in a mixture of A, B, C and D is
selected as the base component,

Ki
i
KC

Pio
ij o
Pj

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Phase equilibrium in multicomponent
K factor strongly temperature dependent

because of the change in vapor pressure.

The ratio of K factor is the same as the relative

volatility of components:
o

yi / x i K i Pi
ij

o
y j / x j K j Pj

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Bubble Point
.initial boiling point of a liquid mixture.
Must satisfy the relation yi=1.0

y K x
i

1.0

The temperature is assumed and values of

Ki are obtained from vapor pressure data and

the known total pressure.

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Bubble Point
If the summation

Kixi > 1.0, a lower

temperature is chosen and repeat the

calculation until the equation is satisfied.
If the summation

Kixi = 1.0, the composition

of the vapor in equilibrium with liquid

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Bubble Point
For a mixture of A, B, C and D with C as the base
component:
Assume the temperature.
Calculate the value of i from the value of Ki at
K C 1.0
this temperature.
i xi

Calculate the value of KC from

Compare the temperature corresponding to

the calculated value of KC to the assumed
temperature.

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Bubble Point

If the values differ, the calculated

temperature is used for the next iteration.
After the final temperature is known, the
vapor composition is calculated from

i x i
yi
i x i

Example 1
A liquid feed to a distillation tower at 405.3 kPa abs is
fed
to a distillation tower. The composition in mole
fractions is
as follows: n-butane (xA=0.40), n-pentane (xB=0.25), n
hexane (xC=0.20), n-heptane (xD=0.15). Calculate the
boiling point and the vapor in equilibrium with the
liquid.
Solution: Assume a temperature and find the K values
for
all component.

Depriester Chart

T = 65oC

Cont
Assuming T = 65oC
K C 1/ i xi 1/ 3.643 0.2745
Referring to figure 11.7-2,
at 0.2745, the T is 69oC.

Get the K value

from from
Depriester Chart.

Ki
ij
Kj

For the second trial, use 69oC and follow the same procedure.

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Dew Point
...initial condensation temperature
Must satisfy the relation xi=1.0
yi
xi
1.0
Ki
Also trial and error calculation
After final T is known, liquid composition

calculated from

yi i
xi
yi i

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Flash Distillation, f = V/F
From equation

xFi 1 f
yi

xi
f
f
Since the distillate and bottom streams are in

equilibrium,

yi
1 xFi
K i
f 1
xi
f xi

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Flash Distillation
After rearrange the equation before
Nc

x
i 1

Nc

1
i 1

xFi
f ( K i 1) 1

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Number of Plates Required
If the composition of the liquid on any plate
is known, then the composition of the vapor
in equilibrium is calculated from a
knowledge of the vapor pressure or relative
volatilities of individual component.
A mixture of components A, B, C & D, etc
have mol fractions xA, xB, xC, xD etc. in the
liquid and yA, yB, yC, yD etc. in the vapor;

y A y B yC y D .... 1

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Number of Plates Required
If B is the base component;

y A y B yC y D
1

......
yB yB yB yB
yB

AB

xC
xA
xB
xD
1
BB
CB
DB
.....
xB
xB
xB
xB
yB

MULTICOMPONENT SYSTEM
Number of Plates Required

xA
AB x A y
B
xB
yB
AB x A

x A AB
yA
AB x A

xC CB
yC
AB x A

x D DB
yD
AB x A

EXAMPLE:
BOILING POINT,DEW POINT, AND FLASH
VAPORIZATION OF MULTICOMPONENT FEED
A liquid feed to a distillation tower at 405.3 Kpa
abs is fed to a distillation tower. The composition
in mole fractions is as follows:
N-butane (xA=0.40)
N-pentane (xB=0.25)
N-hexane (xC=0.20)----------base component
N-heptane (xD=0.15)
a) Calculate the boiling point of feed and
composition of vapor in equilibrium.
b)Calculate the dew point of feed and composition
of liquid in equilibrium.

SOLUTION
a) Calculate the boiling point and composition of
vapor in equilibrium

1) Assume 1st temperature = 650C

2) Obtain value of K from Depriester Chart
3) Construct temperature trial table
4) Stop the iteration when the assumed
temperature gives same values with the exact
temperature. (means it is the bubble point)

 Trial 1 (Temperature = 650C)

* Since the final temperature is not same with the assume temperature,
do next trial using last temperature.

 Trial 2 (Temperature = 690C)

* Since the final temperature is not same with the assume temperature,
do next trial using last temperature.

 Trial 3 (Temperature = 700C)

* Since the final temperature is same with the assume temperature, stop the iteration.
* The last value of temperature is called bubble point.

SOLUTION
b) Calculate the dew point and composition of
liquid in equilibrium

1) Assume 1st temperature = 1060C

2) Obtain value of K from Depriester Chart
3) Construct temperature trial table
4) Stop the iteration when the assumed
temperature gives same values with the exact
temperature. (means it is the dew point)

 Trial 1 (Temperature = 1060C)

* Since the final temperature is not same with the assume temperature,
do next trial using last temperature.

 Trial 2 (Temperature = 1070C)

* Since the final temperature is almost the same with the assume temperature,
stop the iteration.