- A Binary Mixture Of Methanol And Water Is Separated In A Continuous Contact Distillation Column Operating At A Pressure 1 (133.22 KiB) Viewed 56 times
A binary mixture of methanol and water is separated in a continuous-contact distillation column operating at a pressure of 1 atm. The height of a theoretical unit (based on the overall gas mass transfer coefficient), HGA, is 2.0 m. The feed to the column is liquid at its bubble point consisting of 50% methanol (on a molar basis). The mole fraction of methanol in the distillate, Xd, is 0.92 and the reflux ratio is 1.5. For mole fractions of methanol in the liquid greater than x = 0.47, the equilibrium relationship for this binary system is approximately linear, y = 0.41x + 0.59. a) Derive an equation for the operating line in the rectification section of the column (i.e. the section above the feed). [4 marks] b) State the bulk compositions of the vapour and the liquid in the packed column at the feed location. You may assume that the feed is at its optimal location. [4 marks] c) Determine the height of the rectification section of the column. [8 marks] d) Explain the factors that would determine whether the reflux ratio mentioned above is the most suitable one for the process.