Introduction to Lewis and Matheson

calculation

 Lewis and Matheson Calculation

Exact calculation procedure to determine
the number of trays required for
multicomponent distillation
Instead of the Gilliland correlation for the
short cut method
Products compositions should be known or
compositions calculated using
approximate method can be used.

TOL
G1
D
Lo

L1

G2

y n +1

L
D
= xn + x D
G
G

 For the ith component;

yi ,n+1

L
D
= xi , n + xi , D
G
G
1(a)

The dew-point is the temperature at which the saturated vapour starts to condense.
The bubble-point is the temperature at which the liquid starts to boil.

Steps for the rectifying section

Assume a temperature for the 1st plate (T1)
(Plate temperature = Dew point of the
vapour leaving the tray (G1) = Bubble point
of the liquid leaving the tray (L1)

 Determine k values at T1.

 Calculate x1 values ( x1 = y1/k) use y1

values obtained from approximate
calculation procedure.

 If xi,1 = 1.0 assumed T1 is correct.

 If xi,1 1.0 assume a new value for T1

and repeat the calculation.

 When n=1
Top Operating line eqn

yi , 2

xi , D
R
=
xi ,1 +
R +1
R +1

Use xi,D values from approximate

calculation. Calculate yi,2 values for all the
components.

 Repeat the procedure for all the trays.

 When each tray calculation is over that

tray should be checked for the feed tray
(refer Mass Transfer Operations by
Treybal).
Once the feed tray is decided calculation
should be performed to determine the
number of trays in the stripping section.