Definition:
An abstraction concept in which two phases in contact are
brought to physical equilibrium, followed by phase
separation.
Example: a vapor-liquid equilibrium stage
Equilibrium stage
Definition:
In practice, it is a useful concept with real application in
industry.
Example: Cooling water tower
Equilibrium stage
Definition:
In practice, it is a useful concept with real application in
industry.
Example: tray plate column.
Equilibrium stage
Definition:
Example: a binary vapor-liquid equilibrium stage
Two input and two output streams
The exit streams are at physical equilibrium, i.e. they
have the same temperature and pressure
The exit streams are at chemical equilibrium
Equilibrium stage
Example:
Simple binary vapor-liquid equilibrium stage – flash
Equilibrium stage
Example:
Simple binary vapor-liquid equilibrium stage: a flash
Equilibrium stage
Example:
Simple binary vapor-liquid equilibrium stage: a flash
Equilibrium stage
Example:
Simple binary vapor-liquid equilibrium stage: a flash
Flash conditions: T, P
Global molar balance: F= V + L
Molar balance on A: F z A= V y A + L x A
Energy balance: F h F +Q= V hV + L h L
yA
Equilibrium relation: K A =
xA
Equilibrium stage
Design of an equilibrium separation process is based on two
steps:
The determination of the best equilibrium conditions
for the separation task
The design of the equipment that best promotes the
separation of the phases
Equilibrium stage
What can be achieved with one equilibrium stage?
For binary vapor-liquid equilibrium, the relative
volatility is defined by:
KA
α A , B=
KB
For ideal solutions and at given T and P:
Deduce: y A= f ( x A , α A ,B)
Equilibrium stage
What can be achieved with one equilibrium stage?
For binary vapor-liquid equilibrium, the relative
volatility is defined by:
KA
α A , B=
KB
For this example, compute the value for the relative
volatility at 370K and 1 atm.
Make a plot of the corresponding x-y diagram.
Equilibrium stage
What can be achieved with one equilibrium stage?
For binary vapor-liquid equilibrium, the relative
volatility is defined by:
KA
α A , B=
KB
For this example, compute the value for the relative
volatility at 370K and 1 atm.
Make a plot of the corresponding x-y diagram.
( ya / xa) 0.57/ 0.35
α A , B= = = 2.5
( y b / x b ) (1− 0.57)/(1− 0.35)
α A,B xA
y A=
1+(α A , B − 1) x A
Equilibrium stage
What can be achieved with one equilibrium stage?
In general, the relative volatility measures how easy is a
separation can be.
Counter-current cascade:
very efficient and widely used
Cross-current cascade:
not as efficient as counter-
current cascade
Co-current: ??
What is the interest of co-current cascade?
F= 3− 1⏞ − 1⏟ = 1 Remains 1 D.O.F.
Used for equilibrium data
pressure
Absorption and stripping process
design
Methodology for single-component absorption/stripping
The equilibrium relation for the solute between the two phases is
given by:
y A= K A x A
In general, the amount of solute is relatively low (diluted solution),
Henry’s law can be used:
HA
y A= xA
P
Absorption and stripping process
design
Mass-energy balances
Remember, assumptions:
Heat of absorption is negligible
Operation is isothermal
Solvent is non-volatile
Carrier-gas is insoluble
L ' 0 = L ' 1= ⋯= L ' N = L'
So:
V ' 0= V ' 1= ⋯= V ' N = V '
Energy balance is automatically satisfied
Both liquid and gas (or vapor) flow rates
are constant
Absorption and stripping process
design
Mass-energy balances
In other words:
L’: the liquid flow rate must be the
molar flow rate of a non-volatile solvent
V’: the gas flow rate must be the molar
flow rate of an insoluble carrier gas
The mole fractions of A in the gas and the
liquid are defined as:
moles of solute A (gas phase)
y A=
moles carrier gas + moles solute A
moles of solute A (liq. phase)
x A=
moles solvent + moles solute A
Absorption and stripping process
design
Mass-energy balances
Data:
KA = 2.0
Absorption and stripping process
design
Determination of the minimum liquid
molar flow-rate - Absorption
L' L'
Y n+1 = X n +Y 1− X0
⏟
V' ⏟ V'
slope offset
Absorption and stripping process
design
Determination of the minimum liquid molar flow-
rate - Absorption
Data:
K = 0.57
Summary
Concept of equilibrium stage
Understand the need for multiple equilibrium
stages
Absorption and stripping processes
Understand which conditions are best for
both processes
Graphical design of absorption and stripping
columns: determination of liquid (gas) flow-
rate and the number of theoretical stages