University of California, Davis

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

ECH 158B
Separations and Unit Operations
Ahmet Palazoglu

HOMEWORK 3/SOLUTION

_______ Winter 2013

1. (15 pts) A centrifugal compressor delivers ethylene from a source at 90P0PF and atmospheric
pressure. The gas is to be compressed to 100 psig at a rate of 35,000 STD ftP3P/min. Design
a multistage compressor for this application (use Walas, Table 7.6 as reference). Determine
the power requirement (HP or kW) and the design speed for the compressor..
First, using the value of the volumetric flow rate given, choose compressor frame 60M from
Table 7.6 in Walas.
Calculate n, taking p = 0.77. The can be estimated from the following equation (Smith and
Van Ness):
cp
1.424 0.01424T 4.392 10 6 T 2
R
c
where T is K. So T 90F 305.4K 549.7R . This yields, p 5.36 and knowing that
R
cp

R 1

5.36;
0.19
R 1
cp

Thus,

n
n 1
p 0.77(5.36) 4.13
and
0.24
n 1 1
n
Calculate T2 to check temperature limits:
( n 1) / n

P
114.7
T2 T1 2
(549.7 R)
900R 440F
14.7
P1
This is too high, so we need intercooling. Let us say we have two sections, then the exit
temperature would be
( n 1) / N s n

0.24

P
114.7
T2 T1 2
(549.7R)
703R 243F

14.7
P1
This is fine. Let us calculate the work required per section.
P ( n 1) / 2n
gc n
H
z1RT1 2
1
g n 1
P1

114.7 0.24 / 2 lbmol

1545.1lb f ft
lb
m 4.06(1)
(549.7 R)
1

lb f
lbmol R
14.7
28.05lbm
34,371 ft
0.24 / 2

The maximum head per stage for this compressor is listed as 10K/12K. We take 10,000 ft which
yields 3.5, or 4 stages. With 4 stages, the distribution of head per stage is:
h / stage 34,371/ 4 8592 ft
We need to adjust the impeller speed to match this:
1/ 2

8,592
N 5000

10,000

4635RPM

The power requirement needs the mass flow rate. The density can be calculated as:

lb

28.05
(14.7 psi)
M w P1
lb
lbmole

0.07 3
3
z1RT1
ft

ft psi
(549.7 R)
(1)10.73
lbmole R

Then, BHP for the compressor is:

BHP 2

Q H

33000 p

lb
)(34,371 ft)
ft 3
6628HP
33000(0.77)

2(35000 ft 3 / min)(0.07

Thus we have a compressor with eight stages where intercooling takes place between the fourth
and the fifth stages.

2. (10pts) Consider the process shown in figure below:

4
68 psig

20 ft
3

2
120 ft

152 psia
1

Toluene is pumped at a rate of 400 GPM and at 750F through 3 in OD piping. The dynamic
pressure drop between points 1 and 2 is 9.5 psi and between points 3 and 4 is 3 psi. At
flowing conditions the density of toluene is 54.75 lb/ft3. If the maximum expected flow rate is
500 GPM and the minimum expected flow rate is 60 GPM, obtain the required Cv, and select
a valve from one of the following vendors:
Masonelian 21000 Series Globe Control Valves: http://www.masoneilan.com/
Fisher GX Control Valves: http://www.emersonprocess.com/Fisher/
Report the properties of the valve selected such as % opening at design conditions. Provide
vendor information to support your selection.

The specific gravity for toluene is 0.877. Lets calculate the pressures at points around the valve
to find the pressure drop across the valve. Consider the relationship,
P
P

h
g (sp.gr ) w ater g
To make sure we have the right units as the pressure is expressed as psi (lbf/in2), the equation is
re-written as
P (144)
2.31P

h
(sp.gr )(62.4)(g / g c ) (sp.gr .)
Thus, at point 2, we have:
(0.877)120 ft
P2 152 psia 9.5 psi
96.94psia
2.31
At point 3, we have
(0.877)20 ft
P3 (68 14.7) psia 3 psi +
93.29psia
2.31
Thus, we have
Pvalve 96.94 93.29 3.65psi
Using the sizing equation, for maximum flow rate (note that this pressure drop is really for 400
GPM, so I am extrapolating here),
P
Q Cv f ( z )
s.g

Cv 500

0.877
245
3.65

for minimum flow rate

0.877
29.4
110
Using Masonelian 21000 Series control valves, we can select a 5 inch contoured trim linear valve
with a C v at 100% opening 400 and the maximum flow corresponding to about 70% open.
Cv 60

For Fisher, DN 150 could be chosen among GX Series Control valves, NPS 6 with 60 mm travel
as marked in the table. C v at 100% opening is 374 and the maximum flow corresponding to
about 80% open.

3. (15 pts) Acetone (solute) is to be extracted from a solution in ethyl acetate using water
(solvent). The feed composition is 40 wt% acetone and 60 wt% ethyl acetate. Consider the
feed and operating conditions as 25 0C and 1 atm. The acetone solution is available at 200
kg/hr and we have a water stream available at 220 kg/hr. If one stage extraction (mixerseparator) is used, what is the mole fraction of acetone in the raffinate? Obtain your results
using three property method selections, Ideal, PR and NRTL. Discuss and explain the
reasons for the differences in the results. Turn in the flowsheet and the stream tables that
summarize the results. Consult AspenPlus tutorial document for additional help.
The stream table of one stage extraction (mixer-separator) is shown below:
VAPOR

FLASH
MIXER
FEED

PRODUCT1

LIQ

WATER

RAFFINAT

Setting the property method as IDEAL, the results are:

Heat and Material Balance Tab le
Stream ID

FEED

From
To

MIXER

Ph ase

LIQUID

LIQ

PR ODUC T1

R AF FINAT

VAP OR

FLAS H

MIXER

FLAS H

FLAS H

MISSING

MISSING

WATER

FLAS H
LIQUID

MIXER

LIQUID

LIQUID

Su bstream: MIXED
Mole Flow

lbmol/h r

AC ETONE
W ATER
ETH-AC E

3 .0 366 68

3 .0 366 68

3 .0 366 68

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

2 6.922 53

2 6.922 53

0.0

0.0

2 6.922 53

3 .0 026 76

3 .0 026 76

3 .0 026 76

0.0

0.0

0.0

To tal Flow

lbmol/h r

6 .0 393 44

3 2.961 88

3 2.961 88

0.0

0.0

2 6.922 53

To tal Flow

lb/hr

4 40.92 45

9 25.94 15

9 25.94 15

0.0

0.0

4 85.01 70

To tal Flow

cuft/h r

8 .2 742 66

1 6.017 22

1 6.017 22

0.0

0.0

7 .8 164 62

Temperature

7 7.000 00

7 7.000 00

7 7.000 01

Pressure

psia

1 4.695 95

1 4.695 95

1 4.695 95

1 4.695 95

1 4.695 95

Vapor Frac

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Liqu id F rac

1 .0 000 00

1 .0 000 00

1 .0 000 00

1 .0 000 00

So lid Frac

7 7.000 00
1 4.695 95

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

-1.560 1E+5

-1.289 0E+5

-1.289 0E+5

-1.228 2E+5

En th alp y

B tu /lbmol

En th alp y

B tu /lb

-2 136 .9 04

-4 588 .6 08

-4 588 .6 08

-6 817 .4 30

En th alp y

B tu /h r

-9.422 1E+5

-4.248 8E+6

-4.248 8E+6

-3.306 6E+6

En trop y

B tu /lbmol-R

-9 4.482 15

-4 8.097 34

-4 8.097 34

-3 8.850 06

En trop y

B tu /lb-R

-1 .2 941 22

-1 .7 121 80

-1 .7 121 80

-2 .1 565 06

Density

lbmol/cu ft

.72 989 48

2 .0 579 03

2 .0 579 03

3 .4 443 38

Density

lb/cuft

5 3.288 66

5 7.809 14

5 7.809 14

6 2.050 71

7 3.008 68

2 8.091 29

2 8.091 29

8 .3 415 74

1 6.125 77

1 6.125 77

Average MW
Liq Vol 6 0F

cuft/h r

1 8.015 28
0.0

0.0

7 .7 842 00

The mole fraction of acetone in the raffinate is 0. The ideal assumes that the components are perfectly miscible.
NRTL results:

He at a nd M at eria l B a la n ce Ta bl e
Stre a m ID

FEED

Fro m
To

M IXER

Pha s e

LIQUID

LIQ

PR ODUC T1

R AFFINAT

VAPOR

FLASH

M IXER

FLASH

FLASH

LIQUID

M ISSING

WATER

FLASH
LIQUID

M IXER

LIQUID

LIQUID

Sub s tre a m: M IXED

M o le Flo w

lb mo l/h r

AC ETONE
WATER
ETH-AC E

3. 03 6 66 8

1. 08 0 38 3

3. 03 6 66 8

1. 95 6 28 5

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

.9 37 3 10 7

26 .9 2 25 3

25 .9 8 52 2

0 .0

26 .9 2 25 3

3. 00 2 67 6

2. 36 0 68 1

3. 00 2 67 6

.6 41 9 95 3

0 .0

0 .0

Tot al Flo w

lb mo l/h r

6. 03 9 34 4

4. 37 8 37 4

32 .9 6 18 8

28 .5 8 35 0

0 .0

26 .9 2 25 3

Tot al Flo w

lb /h r

44 0 .9 24 5

28 7 .6 25 5

92 5 .9 41 5

63 8 .3 16 0

0 .0

48 5 .0 17 0

Tot al Flo w

c uft/h r

8. 27 4 26 6

5. 20 9 84 0

16 .1 7 93 9

10 .8 4 88 2

0 .0

7. 81 6 46 2

Temp e ra tu re

77 .0 0 00 0

77 .0 0 00 0

91 .2 3 12 7

77 .0 0 00 0

Pre ss u re

p si a

77 .0 0 00 0

14 .6 9 59 5

14 .6 9 59 5

14 .6 9 59 5

14 .6 9 59 5

Va po r Frac

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

Liq ui d Frac

1. 00 0 00 0

1. 00 0 00 0

1. 00 0 00 0

1. 00 0 00 0

1. 00 0 00 0

Sol id Fra c

14 .6 9 59 5

14 .6 9 59 5

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

0 .0

-1 .5 5 97 E+5

-1 .6 3 71 E+5

-1 .2 8 89 E+5

-1 .2 3 83 E+5

-1 .2 2 82 E+5

Ent ha lp y

B tu /l bmo l

Ent ha lp y

B tu /l b

-21 3 6. 26 0

-24 9 2. 11 9

-45 8 8. 30 2

-55 4 5. 16 5

-68 1 7. 43 0

Ent ha lp y

B tu /h r

-9 .4 1 93 E+5

-7 .1 6 80 E+5

-4 .2 4 85 E+6

-3 .5 3 96 E+6

-3 .3 0 66 E+6

Ent ro py

B tu /l bmo l-R

-94 .4 9 35 9

-88 .7 6 61 8

-48 .8 9 08 0

-43 .2 2 52 7

-38 .8 5 00 6

Ent ro py

B tu /l b-R

-1. 29 4 27 9

-1. 35 1 24 2

-1. 74 0 42 6

-1. 93 5 60 8

-2. 15 6 50 6

De ns it y

lb mo l/c u ft

.7 29 8 94 8

.8 40 4 04 8

2. 03 7 27 6

2. 63 4 71 1

3. 44 4 33 8

De ns it y

lb /c u ft

53 .2 8 86 6

55 .2 0 81 3

57 .2 2 97 1

58 .8 3 73 7

62 .0 5 07 1

73 .0 0 86 8

65 .6 9 23 0

28 .0 9 12 9

22 .3 3 16 2

8. 34 1 57 4

5. 27 9 86 8

16 .1 2 57 7

10 .8 4 59 1

Av erag e M W
Liq Vo l 6 0 F

c uft/h r

18 .0 1 52 8
0 .0

7. 78 4 20 0

The mole fraction of acetone in the raffinate is 6.84%.

PENG-ROB results:

Heat and Material Balance Table

Stream ID

FEE D

From
To

MIXER

Phase

LIQUID

LIQ

PRODUCT1

RAFFINAT

VAPOR

FLASH

MIXER

FLASH

FLASH

LIQUID

MISSING

WAT ER

FLASH
LIQUID

MIXER

LIQUID

LIQUID

Substream: MIXED
Mole Flow

lbmol/hr

ACET ONE
WATER
E TH-ACE

3. 036668

3. 036630

3. 036668

3. 81270E-5

0.0

0.0

0.0

. 2312976

26. 92253

26. 69124

0.0

26. 92253

3. 002676

3. 002676

3. 002676

2. 19751E-7

0.0

0.0

Total Flow

lbmol/hr

6. 039344

6. 270603

32. 96188

26. 69127

0.0

26. 92253

Total Flow

lb/hr

440. 9245

445. 0892

925. 9415

480. 8523

0.0

485. 0170

Total Flow

cuft/hr

8. 274266

8. 334027

14. 76126

7. 749354

0.0

7. 816462

Temperature

77. 00000

77. 00000

-50. 57356

77. 00000

Pressure

psia

14. 69595

14. 69595

14. 69595

14. 69595

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

1. 000000

1. 000000

1. 000000

1. 000000

1. 000000

Vapor Frac
Liquid Frac
Solid Frac

77. 00000
14. 69595

14. 69595

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

-1.5598E +5

-1.5454E +5

-1.2962E +5

-1.2370E +5

-1.2370E +5

Btu/lb

-2136. 443

-2177. 172

-4614. 176

-6866. 635

-6866. 660

Enthalpy

Btu/hr

-9.4201E +5

-9.6904E +5

-4.2725E +6

-3.3018E +6

-3.3304E +6

Entropy

Btu/lbmol-R

-94. 42282

-91. 87881

-52. 60865

-40. 10222

-40. 10224

Entropy

Btu/lb-R

-1. 293309

-1. 294427

-1. 872775

-2. 226004

-2. 226012

Density

lbmol/cuft

. 7298948

. 7524098

2. 232998

3. 444323

3. 444338

Density

lb/cuft

53. 28866

53. 40626

62. 72779

62. 05063

62. 05071

73. 00868

70. 98028

28. 09129

18. 01534

18. 01528

8. 341574

8. 408404

16. 12577

7. 717370

Enthalpy

Btu/lbmol

Enthalpy

Average MW
Liq Vol 60F

cuft/hr

0.0

7. 784200

The mole fraction of acetone in the raffinate is almost 0.

We can notice in the stream tables above that both the IDEAL and PR thermodynamic methods do not predict any
separation of our two liquid streams in the Flash separator (indicated by the zero flow in stream raffinate). However,
the NRTL thermodynamic method predicts a significant separation, which is similar to what really occurs. So
choosing proper thermodynamic methods is important in analyzing the system process.