ChE 411 Tutorials

1. You have an ideal binary liquid mixture of two components A and

B, where one is more volatile than the other. Draw (a) an isobaric
phase diagram and (b) an isothermal phase diagram for the
system showing each of the following:
(i) The composition of the more volatile component as the
x-axis
(ii) The variable in the y-axis
(iii) Supercooled liquid phase
(iv) Superheated vapor phase
(v) Mixed vapor liquid phase
(vi) Bubble point curve
(vii) Dew point curve

2. (i) Draw a simple isobaric equilibrium curve for a binary liquid

mixture (A & B) with different volatiles, showing the liquid
composition varying from 0 to 1.0 on the x-axis and the vapor
composition varying from 0 to 1.0 on the y-axis. Indicate the
equilibrium line showing the following.
(a) A more volatile than B
(b) B more volatile than A
(c) A and B have the same volatility
(d) A and B form an azeotrope

3. (a) Define the separation factor, , for a binary system

(b) Show that yA = xA/ [1 + ( - 1)xA], where yA and xA
are the vapor and liquid mole fractions of the more volatile
component, respectively.

4. (i) Sketch an equilibrium flash evaporator for a binary

mixture.
(ii) Show by material balance and equilibrium relation at
constant separation factor, , the following:

[(1 - f)( - 1)]x2 + [(f - xF)( - 1) + 1]x xF = 0

where f = V/F, fraction of feed vaporized, x is the mole fraction of

the more volatile component in the distillate and x F, is its fraction
in the feed.

5. (a) Sketch a simple batch distillation process

(b) Derive the Rayleighs Equation for this batch distillation
process.
6. A batch of crude pentane contains 10 mol% pentane and 90 mol
% butane. A simple batch distillation at constant pressure is used
to remove 90% of the butane. Assume constant separation factor
= 4. (i) How much pentane was removed? (ii) What is the
composition of the remaining liquid?

7. A mixture containing 50 g mol of benzene and 50 g mol of

chlorobenzene is distilled by simple batch distillation without
reflux until 40 percent of the initial charge is taken off as
overhead. The system benzene-chlorobenzene may be
considered ideal, with an average relative volatility of 5.3
What are the compositions of overhead and residue after
distillation is complete, that is, 40% taken off?

8. The overhead from the distillation in Question 7 above is

subjected to a second simple batch distillation. Again 40 percent
of the charge is taken overhead. What is the composition of this
second overhead product? What is its mass in grams? How many
grams of chlorine does it contain?

Questions 9, 10 and 11

Equilibrium data for n-pentane-n-heptane, x and y are mole

fraction of n-pentane
x 0.0 0.059 0.145 0.254 0.398 0.594 0.867 1.000
y 0.0 0.271 0.521 0.701 0.836 0.925 0.984 1.000

9. 100 kg mols of a mixture, which contains 60 mol% n-pentane (A)

and 40 mol% n-heptane (B), is vaporized at 101.32 kPa pressure
under differential conditions until 40 kg mol are distilled. What is
the average composition of the vapour formed and of liquid
remaining in the still.

10. If 100 kg mols of the same mixture in Question 9 are flash

distilled such that 40 kg mol is vapourised, what are the
compositions of the vapor and liquid left?

11. 100 kg mols of a binary mixture (n-pentane and n-heptane ) are

distilled until the % composition of n-heptane in the still
increases from 40% to 70% at 101.32 kPa pressure and under
differential conditions . What is the average composition of the
vapour formed and of liquid remaining in the still? How much
liquid remains in the still?

12. In the continuous distillation of a feed of Benzene and Toluene,

the feed is at 30,000 kg/h and contains 40 wt.% Benzene. The
 overhead product is 97 wt.% Benzene and the bottom product is
98 wt.% Toluene. The reflux mole ratio = 3.5, and assume an
ideal system, with separation factor, = 2.5.
Calculate the distillate, D, and the bottoms, B produced per hour.
Determine, N, the number of ideal plates to effect this
separation, if the feed is liquid at its bp.

13. Using the same data and information from Question 12,
determine N, number of ideal plates to effect this separation, if
the feed is liquid at 20oC (specific heat = 0.44 cal/g). Where is
the feed tray?

14. Using the same data and information from Question 12,
determine the feed plate location and N, number of ideal plates
to effect this separation, if the feed is 2/3 vapour and 1/3 liquid

Questions 15 and 16

15. Below are the equilibrium data for a methanol-water system. A

distillation column is designed to continuously separate a
saturated liquid feed of 40 mol/s methanol and 60 mol/s water.
The reflux is saturated liquid with a flow rate more than the
minimum (infinite stages); 95 % of the methanol is to be
recovered in the distillate containing 98 mol% of methanol. The
feed is to be introduced at the tray to give minimum stages (i.e.
optimum location).

(a) Plot the equilibrium data in a graph of y mol fraction of

methanol in the vapor vs x mol fraction in the liquid.
(b)Assuming constant molal overflow, find the minimum reflux
rate.

16. Using the same graph and the information obtained from
question above, find the following, if the actual reflux rate is 1.5
times the minimum.
(ii) The number of equilibrium stages required in the column.
(iii) The feed tray.
17. What do the terms HTU and NTU mean in continuous separation
processes?
Derive them for a simple packed bed. What are the types of
information required if you were to separate a binary mixture in a
packed bed? Discuss in detail how you would actual get these
numbers for a give binary separation.