Batch Distillation with Rectification

Excel-Based Solution

A. Batch Distillation at constant Reflux

The schematic diagram of batch distillation with rectification is given in figure 1.

Condenser

Distillate

Reflux
Liquid

Still

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of Batch Distillation with Rectification

Batch distillation operating at constant reflux will produce a variable distillate composition from time to time.
thus, the analysis is more complex than continuous distillation. Performing material and component balance
before and after distillation will yield

Overall Material Balance: Hi = Hf + D

Overall Component Balance: Hixpi = Hfxpf + DxD,ave

Where:

Hi is the initial amount in the still

Hf is the final amount in the still
D is the amount of the distillate
Xpi is the initial still composition
Xpf is the final still composition
XD is the average distillate composition

The typical unknowns in this type of problem is the final amount in the still (H f), the amount of the distillate
(D) and the average composition of the distillate (xD,ave). Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook 8th edition
gives a procedure in determining the final still composition. The final amount in the still can be obtained
using equation 13-34 page 13-112 which is given by,
𝑥𝑝𝑖 𝑑𝑥
𝐻𝑖 𝑝
ln ( ) = ∫
𝐻𝑓 𝑥𝑝𝑓 𝑥𝐷 − 𝑥𝑝

Where:

Xp represents the composition in the still at any time, t

In order to solve the integral, distillate composition (xD) must be expressed in terms of the still composition
(xp). This can be performed by assuming a distillate composition, then stepping off the given number of
stages. The x-coordinate of the last stage is the still composition for that particular value of the distillate.
Repeat the process until sufficient data is obtained. Note, the more the data set, the more accurate is the
result. Detailed procedure is discussed below.

Example:

Five hundred moles of 30 mol% Benzene and 70 mol% Toluene is distilled in a batch distilling column
operating at a constant reflux ratio of 3.5:1. The target still composition after distillation is 95 mol% Toluene.
If five trays is available in the column, determine

a. Final amount in the still

b. Amount of distillate produced
c. Average distillate composition

Procedure and Calculations:

1. Open Microsoft Excel

2. Plot the equilibrium curve and the 45-degree line
 Figure 2: Equilibrium Curve and 45-degree line Plot

3. Determine the equation of the equilibrium curve

Figure 3: Finding Equilibrium Curve Equation using Trendline

4. Input the Reflux ratio and assumed distillate composition

 Figure 4: Inputting values of Reflux and Distillate Composition

5. Plot the operating line. The first point in the operating line is (xD, xD). The second point can be
obtained by assuming a value of x, then solving the y-value using the operating line equation
𝑅 𝑥𝐷
𝑦= 𝑥+
𝑅+1 𝑅+1
Note: don’t input the value of R and xD as values in the formula, rather, relate these in terms of cell location.

Figure 5: Relating point 1 of the operating line to the distillate composition

Figure 6: Computing the y-value of the second point by relating R and xD in terms of cell values
 1.2

vapor composition
0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
liquid composition

Figure 7: Equilibrium Curve with Operating Line

6. Compute for the points of the Equilibrium Stages (Step-line). The first point is (xD, xD). Again,
express the value of xD in terms of cell value. Second point is located at the equilibrium curve with
y-value equal to the y-value of the previous point. The x-coordinate is solved using solver by
applying the concept of one-point iteration. To do so, transform the equilibrium equation having
only x in the left side. In this case the transformed equilibrium curve equation is

−0.4179𝑥 4 + 1.493𝑥 3 − 2.3611𝑥 2 − 𝑦

𝑥=
−2.2859
Input this equation in the x-value of the second point in terms of cell values. X-value in the right
side is the cell-value of x-left while the y-value is the cell-value of the second point. Input the
objective function given by the difference between x-left and x.

Figure 8: Point (xD, xD) in terms of cell value

 Figure 9: Second point y-value equal to the previous y-value

Figure 10: X-value of the second-point in terms of Cell-Value

Figure 11: Objective Function in terms of Cell-values

7. Compute for the third point of the step-line. The third point of the step-line is located at the
operating line with x-value equal to the previous x-line and y-value equal to the equation of the
operating line. Y-value must be in terms of cell-values of R and xD. Add $ before and after the letter
of the cell-values of R and xD since these cells have a fixed location.

Figure 12: X-value of the third point is equal to the x-value of the previous cell

Figure 13: Y-value of the third point in terms of cell-values

8. Copy the second (including the objective function) and third points, then paste these in the
succeeding cells depending in on the number of stages.

Figure 14: Copy the second and third points

Figure 15: Paste the copied cells depending on the number of equilibrium stages

9. Click the developer tab and click record macro. If developer tab is not present, go to file tab, then
click options, click Customize Ribbon, click Developer Tab, click ok.

Figure 16: Recording Macro

 Figure 17: Displaying Developer Tab

10. Start solving the value of x_left using solver. Set the value of the Set Objective Text box by click
the cell vale of the objective function. Click the Value of: 0. Click the x_left value in the By changing
variable cells: tab. Click Solve. Repeat the procedure until all x-values are solved. Click the
Developer tab, then click the Stop Recording button.
 Figure 18: Solving the value of x for the first stage

Figure 19: Solved values of x_left

Figure 20: Stopping Macro Recording

11. Record the last value of x. That will be the value of xp and the assumed value of xD.
12. Click Visual Basic under Developer tab. Another Window will appear. Click the tool tab of the
Visual Basic window then click references. Another userface will appear, click solver, click ok. This
will enable the use of Solver Macro. Close Visual Basic Window.
 Figure 21: Visual Basic Window Tool Tab

Figure 22: Enabling Solver Command

13. Go to Developer tab, click Macro button. Userform of Macro will appear. Click options, another
userform will appear. Under Shortcut Key box, press any letter you want. This will create a shortcut
key for the recorded macro. Click ok.
 Figure 23: Macro Userform

Figure 24: Macro Options

14. Assume another value of xD. Then, press control + the letter you set in procedure 13. This will
automatically compute the value of x_left. Record the last value of x. That will be the value of xp for
that particular value of xD. Repeat the procedure until sufficient data is obtained. Note: upper value
of xp must exceed the value of xpi and lowest value of xP must be lower than the value of xpf.
 x_d x_p
0.98 0.41716
0.95 0.290304
0.93 0.255249
0.9 0.223007
0.85 0.190166
0.8 0.167731
0.75 0.149994
0.7 0.134869
0.65 0.121402
0.6 0.109091
0.55 0.09764
0.5 0.086865
0.45 0.076641
0.4 0.066879
0.35 0.057515
0.3 0.0485
Table 1: Values of xp at different values of xD