McCabe-Thiele Method

2. Stripping Section
The operating equation for any stage k in the stripping section is:

L L y k = ( ) x k 1 ( 1) x B V V

(4)

On a y vs. x diagram, Eqn. (4) gives a straight line (bottom operating line) with: Slope: L / V , and y-intercept: ( L / V 1) x B Plotted together with the equilibrium relationship it produces the McCabe-Thiele diagram for the stripping section We can now proceed and calculate the mole fractions and the number of stages in an analogous manner We begin from the partial reboiler and first locate xB=xN+1 into our graph

McCabe-Thiele Diagram-Stripping Section

Since the partial reboiler is an additional equilibrium stage the xN+1 and yN+1 should be connected through the equilibrium curve We can continue by alternating between the bottom operating line and the equilibrium curve

McCabe-Thiele for a Complete Column

In the McCabe-Thiele method for a complete column we draw both top and bottom operating lines along with the equilibrium curve on the same diagram We usually begin from the total condenser (top operating line) and carry on by stepping off stages Our last stage should include xB. This will be the partial reboiler Fractional number of stages:
raction = Dis tan ce from operating line to x B ( Dis tan ce from operating line to equilibrium curve

Optimum Feed Location

The feed stage is located at the point where we switch from the top to the bottom operating line Optimal selection of the feed location results in the minimum number of total stages How do we find the optimum feed location? The optimum feed location will always be the stage where the step in the staircase includes the point of intersection between the two operating lines (Fig. A below).

Useful Equations
The slopes of the top and bottom operating lines can be calculated from problem specifications as shown in (6) and (7), respectively:
Lo / D L = V 1 + Lo / D

(6)

L = V Lo (z x B ) + q( x D x B ) ( x D z) D
LL F

Lo (z x B ) + q( x D x B ) D

(7)

where: q

(feed quality)