Distillation Column

Design
Methanol-Water separation

Welahetti W.P.K
080533H
 Distillation Column Design 2012

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 4
2 Theory ................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Operating Line equation for Top Operating Line (TOP) .............................................. 4
2.2 Operating Line equation for Bottom operating Line (BOP) ........................................ 6
2.3 Equation of q – factor.................................................................................................. 7
3 Calculation ......................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Data ............................................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Calculation of amount of distillate and bottom product ............................................ 7
3.3 Equilibrium data of methanol and water mixture ...................................................... 9
3.4 Calculation of Minimum Reflux Ratio ......................................................................... 9
3.4.1 Drawing q line ...................................................................................................... 9
3.4.2 Drawing Top Operating Line (TOP) at minimum reflux ..................................... 10
3.5 Calculation of Operating Reflux Ratio ....................................................................... 11
3.6 Calculation of Actual number of stages required ..................................................... 11
3.7 Calculation of liquid and vapuor amounts in both sections ..................................... 13
3.8 Liquid and Vapour Density calculation...................................................................... 14
3.8.1 Rectifying section densities ............................................................................... 15
3.8.2 Stripping section densities ................................................................................. 15
3.9 Calculation of column diameter ................................................................................ 16
3.9.1 Diameter of rectifying section ........................................................................... 16
3.9.2 Calculation of diameter of stripping section ..................................................... 19
3.10 Calculation of hole diameter and area .................................................................. 20
3.11 Number of Holes in a tray at rectifying section..................................................... 20
3.12 Number of Holes in a tray at stripping section...................................................... 21
3.13 Flow pattern identification and down comer selection ........................................ 21
3.13.1 Flow pattern of rectifying section ...................................................................... 22
3.13.2 Flow pattern of stripping section ....................................................................... 22
3.14 Column efficiency calculation ................................................................................ 23
3.15 Calculation of actual number of stages required .................................................. 25
3.16 Calculation of height of the column ...................................................................... 25

Prasanna Welahetti Page 2

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.17 Calculation of feed tray location ........................................................................... 26

4 References ....................................................................................................................... 27
5 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 28

Table of Figure
2.1 TOP Line ............................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Bottom Operating Line ........................................................................................................ 6
3.1 Data ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Mass balance........................................................................................................................ 8
3.3 Methanol Water Equilibrium Data ...................................................................................... 9
3.4 Temperature Composition Diagram of methanol/water .................................................... 9
3.5 R min Figure ......................................................................................................................... 10
3.6 Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Curve ....................................................................................... 12
3.7 Column 1 ............................................................................................................................ 13
3.8 Feeding Section .................................................................................................................. 14
3.9 Recommended general conditions and dimensions for tray tower .................................. 18
3.10 selection of Liquid-flow arrangement ............................................................................. 21
3.11 Reverse Flow Down Comer .............................................................................................. 22
3.12 Cross flow down comer ................................................................................................... 22
3.13 Van Winkle’s correlation .................................................................................................. 23

Content of Table
3.1 Density data ....................................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Density of Mixture ............................................................................................................. 15
5.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 28

Prasanna Welahetti Page 3

 Distillation Column Design 2012

1 Introduction
This is continuous distillation with reflux. There are two sections in fractionation column.
The upper section is called the rectification section and lower section is called stripping
section. Rectifying section enriches with more volatile components and stripping section
enriches with less volatile components.

2 Theory

Here we can use the Mc-Cabe-Thiele method,

Assumptions;

 Constant molar overflow

 There is no any chemical reaction
 There are no any mass generation, mass accumulation and mass generation

2.1 Operating Line equation for Top Operating Line (TOP)

2.1 TOP Line

Prasanna Welahetti Page 4

 Distillation Column Design 2012

Material balance around the envelope shown:

Overall Balance;

𝑉𝑛 + 1 = 𝐿𝑛 + 𝐷

Material Balance for More Volatile component (MVC);

𝑉𝑛 + 1 𝑌𝑛 + 1 = 𝐿𝑛 𝑋𝑛 + 𝐷 𝑋𝐷

Thus we have,

(𝐿𝑛 + 𝐷) 𝑌𝑛 + 1 = 𝐿𝑛 𝑋𝑛 + 𝐷 𝑋𝐷

Under constant molar overflow assumption:

𝐿1 = 𝐿2 = . . . . . . . . . . 𝐿𝑛 − 1 = 𝐿𝑛 = 𝐿𝑛 + 1 = 𝐿 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

𝑉1 = 𝑉2 = . . . . . . . . . . 𝑉𝑛 − 1 = 𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑛 + 1 = 𝑉 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

The subscripts can be dropped. Thus, the equation simplifies to:

(𝐿 + 𝐷) 𝑌𝑛 + 1 = 𝐿 𝑋𝑛 + 𝐷 𝑋𝐷

Re-arranging in the form y = f(x), and Introducing Reflux Ratio R = L / D,

Equation 2.1

This is the Operating Line Equation for the rectifying section (Top Operating Line) or TOL
in short.

Characteristics: Straight Line Equation

Slope 𝑅/(𝑅 + 1)
Intercept(1/𝑅 + 1) 𝑋𝐷,

Prasanna Welahetti Page 5

 Distillation Column Design 2012

2.2 Operating Line equation for Bottom operating Line (BOP)

2.2 Bottom Operating Line

Material balance around the envelope shown: Under constant molar overflow assumption:

Overall Balance;
𝐿’ = 𝑉’ + 𝑊

Material Balance for More Volatile component (MVC);

𝐿’ 𝑋𝑁 = 𝑉’ 𝑌𝑁 + 1 + 𝑊 𝑋𝑊

Thus we have,

Equation 2.2

𝐿’ 𝑊
𝑌𝑁 + 1 = 𝑋𝑁 − 𝑋𝑊
𝐿’ − 𝑊 𝐿’ − 𝑊

Prasanna Welahetti Page 6

 Distillation Column Design 2012

2.3 Equation of q – factor

𝑞 1
𝑌𝑞 = 𝑋𝑞 − 𝑋𝑓
𝑞−1 (𝑞 − 1)

ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑

𝑞=
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑

3 Calculation

3.1 Data

3.1 Data

3.2 Calculation of amount of distillate and bottom product

These two values can calculate using simple material equations.

Assumptions

 At steady state there are no any material losses, material accumulation and material
generation.

Prasanna Welahetti Page 7

 Distillation Column Design 2012

 There is no any chemical reaction inside the column

3.2 Mass balance

Overall Material balance around the envelope shown:

𝐹 =𝐷+𝑊

250 = 𝐷 + 𝑊

Material balance for MVC around the envelope shown:

𝐹 𝑋 𝐹 = 𝐷 𝑋𝐷 + 𝑊 𝑋𝑊

250 × 0.35 = 𝐷 × 0.96 + 𝑊 × 0.02

Solving above two equations;

𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐷 = 87.77
ℎ𝑟
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑊 = 162.23
ℎ𝑟

Prasanna Welahetti Page 8

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.3 Equilibrium data of methanol and water mixture

3.3 Methanol Water Equilibrium Data

3.4 Temperature Composition Diagram of methanol/water

3.4 Calculation of Minimum Reflux Ratio

3.4.1 Drawing q line

Feed is at saturated liquid condition; therefore according to q line equation q value should
be 1.

Therefore,

𝑞=1

Prasanna Welahetti Page 9

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.4.2 Drawing Top Operating Line (TOP) at minimum reflux

At the minimum reflux ratio; maximum numbers of theoretical stages are given. Therefore
TOP line should be pass through interception of equilibrium curve and q-line.

3.5 R min Figure

0.96−0.7
Gradient of TOL = 0.96−0.35

= 0.426

𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛
= 0.426
𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 1

𝑅 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.742

Prasanna Welahetti Page 10

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.5 Calculation of Operating Reflux Ratio

No hard and fast rules can be given for the selection of the design reflux ratio, but for many
systems the optimum will lie between 1.2 to 1.5 times the minimum reflux ratios. Assume
operating reflux ratio is 1.25 of minimum reflux ratio. Therefore operating Reflux ratio (R);

𝑅 = 1.25 × 𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑅 = 1.25 × 0.742

𝑅 = 0.9275

3.6 Calculation of Actual number of stages required

𝑅
Slop of the TOL = 𝑅+1

0.9275
= 0.9275+1

= 0.481

Therefore TOL equation;

𝑦 = 0.481𝑥 + 0.498

BOL can easily draw with starting (Xw,Xw) to ending intersection of q line and TOL.

Prasanna Welahetti Page 11

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.6 Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Curve

Prasanna Welahetti Page 12

 Distillation Column Design 2012

According to figure 3.6 vapour- liquid equilibrium curve it can count number of theoretical
plates.

Total number of stages = 14

There are total condenser and partial reboiler. Total condenser is not act as equilibrium
stage, but partial reboiler is act as equilibrium stage. So, reboiler stage need reduce from
total theoretical stages.

Number of theoretical stages required = 14 − 1

= 13

3.7 Calculation of liquid and vapuor amounts in both sections

3.7 Column 1

Rectifying section

Lo
R
D
0.9275 = 𝐿0/87.77

𝐿0 = 81.41 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

According to constant molar overflow;

𝐿 𝑛 = 𝐿 0 = 81.41 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

Material balance for above envelop

Prasanna Welahetti Page 13

 Distillation Column Design 2012

𝑉𝑛 = 𝐿𝑜 + 𝐷
𝑉𝑛 = 81.41 + 87.77

𝑉𝑛 = 169.18 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

Stripping Section

3.8 Feeding Section

According to given data, feed is at saturated liquid condition therefore all feeding liquids
join with stripping section liquid.

𝐿𝑚 = 𝐹 + 𝐿𝑛

𝐿𝑚 = 250 + 81.41

𝐿𝑚 = 331.41 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

𝑉𝑚 = 𝑉𝑛

𝑉𝑚 = 169.18 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

3.8 Liquid and Vapour Density calculation

Inside temperature of the distillation column is varying point to point. Therefore average
temperature was considered for a section.

Compositions Compositions Density of Density of

of Methanol of Methanol Water(kg/m3) Methanol(kg/m3)
Position Liquid Vapour Temperature Liquid Vapour Liquid Vapour
Feed 0.35 0.68 77˚C 973 0.27 742 2.01
Distillate 0.96 0.99 65˚C 980 0.165 752 1.12
Residue 0.02 0.04 100˚C 958 0.59 714 4.33
3.1 Density data

Prasanna Welahetti Page 14

 Distillation Column Design 2012

Density of liquid at 77˚C = 973 × 0.65 + 742 × 0.35

=892.15kg/m3

Similarly;

Temperature Density of liquid mixture kg/m3 Density of vapour mixture kg/m3

77˚C 892.15 1.45
65˚C 761.12 1.11
100˚C 953.12 0.74
3.2 Density of Mixture

3.8.1 Rectifying section densities

Rectifying section is operating in between 65˚C -77˚C. Therefore at the average

temperature density values can calculate.

Liquid density of rectifying section L = (761.12 + 892.15)/2

L =826.6 kg/m3

Vapour density of rectifying section v = (1.11 + 1.45)/2

v =1.28 kg/m3

3.8.2 Stripping section densities

Stripping section is operating in between 100˚C -77˚C. Therefore at the average

temperature density values can calculate.

Similarly;

Liquid density of rectifying section L’ =922.64 kg/m3

Vapour density of rectifying section v’ =1.095 kg/m3

Prasanna Welahetti Page 15

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.9 Calculation of column diameter

3.1 Flooding velocity, sieve plates

3.9.1 Diameter of rectifying section

3.2 Liquid Vapour factor

81.41 1.28
𝐹𝐿𝑉 = √
169.18 826.6

𝐹𝐿𝑉 = 0.0189

Assume tray spacing = 0.45 m

According to figure 3.1;

𝐾1 = 0.084

The flooding velocity can be estimated from the correlation given by Fair

Prasanna Welahetti Page 16

 Distillation Column Design 2012

 L  v
U f  K1
v
826.6 − 1.28
𝑈𝑓 = 0.084√
1.28

𝑈𝑓 = 2.13𝑚/𝑠

Dc- Column diameter Ah-Holes area

Ac- Column cross sectional area An- Net area

Ad-Down comer area Ua-Actual vapour velocity required

through the column
Aa – Active area

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑐 − 𝐴𝑑

Assume Ad=12% of Ac.

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑐 − 0.12𝐴𝑐

𝐴𝑛 = 0.88𝐴𝑐

Assume 80% flooding condition;𝑈𝑎 = 0.8𝑈𝑓

𝑈𝑎 = 0.8 × 2.13𝑚/𝑠

𝑈𝑎 = 1.70 𝑚/𝑠

Average molecular weight of the mixture assuming 50% methanol

= 32 × 0.5 + 18 × 0.5

= 25𝑘𝑔/𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙

(When it calculate the average molar weight, feed methanol composition is 35%,
assume inside the distillation column 50% methanol in mixture)

Vn  169.18  25 /(1  3600) m3 / h

Vn  1.175 m3 / s

Prasanna Welahetti Page 17

 Distillation Column Design 2012

Vn
 Ua
An

1.175
𝐴𝑛 =
1.704

𝐴𝑛 = 0.69 𝑚2

Therefore according to above derived equations;

𝐴𝑛 = 0.88 𝐴𝑐

0.69 = 0.88 × 𝐴𝑐

𝐴𝑐 = 0.784 𝑚2

𝜋𝐷𝑐 2
𝐴𝑐 =
4
𝜋𝐷𝑐 2
0.784 =
4

𝐷𝑐 = 0.999 𝑚

Therefore the column diameter of rectifying section is 0.999m

3.9.1.1 Rechecking the assume tray space value

Here we have assumed tray spacing for the column. According to the “Recommended
general conditions and dimensions for tray tower” table, it can check.

Tower diameter Tray spacing

0.15
1 or less 0.5
1 to 3 0.6
3 to 4 0.75
4 to 8 0.9

3.9 Recommended general conditions and dimensions for tray tower

According to above “Recommended general conditions and dimensions for tray tower”
table, diameter of the column is correct. Because assume tray space was 0.45m and

Prasanna Welahetti Page 18

 Distillation Column Design 2012

received column diameter is 0.999m. Therefore assumed column space is correct(It is in

range).

3.9.2 Calculation of diameter of stripping section

This is similar to rectifying section.

331.41 1.095
𝐹𝐿𝑉 = √
169.18 922.64

𝐹𝐿𝑉 = 0.0675

Assume tray spacing = 0.45 m

According to figure 3.1;

𝐾1 = 0.08

(922.64 − 1.095)
𝑈𝑓 = 0.08√
1.095

𝑈𝑓 = 2.32𝑚/𝑠

Assume 80% flooding condition;

𝑈𝑎 = 0.8 × 2.32𝑚/𝑠

𝑈𝑎 = 1.86 𝑚/𝑠

There is no vapour amount changes in stripping section with compare to rectifying

section. Therefore,

Vm  1.175 m 3 / s

Vn
 Ua
An

1.175
𝐴𝑛 =
1.86

𝐴𝑛 = 0.63 𝑚2

Prasanna Welahetti Page 19

 Distillation Column Design 2012

Therefore according to above derived equations;

𝐴𝑛 = 0.88 𝐴𝑐

𝐴𝑐 = 0.55 𝑚2

𝐷𝑐 = 0.837 𝑚

Therefore stripping section column diameter is 0.837m

3.10 Calculation of hole diameter and area

Hole size less than 6.5 mm. Entrainment may be greater with larger hole sizes. (Page No.
568 Coulson & Richardson 6th volume 4th edition).

Therefore hole diameter is considered as 6mm.

3.11 Number of Holes in a tray at rectifying section

For a plate there is one down comer on the plate and top down comer also affected to
bottom plate. Therefore two down comer areas need to reduce from active area. So,

𝐴𝑎 = 𝐴𝑐 − 2𝐴𝑑

𝐴𝑎 = 𝐴𝑐 − (0.12 × 2𝐴𝑐)

Substituting to above equation;

𝐴𝑎 = 0.596 𝑚2

Assume holes area is 10% of active area;

𝐴ℎ = 0.1𝐴𝑎

Total holes area in a tray 𝐴ℎ = 0.1 × 0.596

= 0.0596𝑚2
0.0062
Area of a hole =𝜋× 4

= 2.83 × 10−5 𝑚2
0.0596
Number of hole in a plate = 2.83×10−5

= 2106

Prasanna Welahetti Page 20

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.12 Number of Holes in a tray at stripping section

All equations are similar to rectifying section calculation;

𝐴𝑎 = 0.418 𝑚2

Assume holes area is 10% of active area;

𝐴ℎ = 0.1𝐴𝑎

𝐴ℎ = 0.0418𝑚2
0.0418
Number of hole in a plate = 2.83×10−5

= 1478

3.13 Flow pattern identification and down comer selection

The most common flow pattern is cross flow pattern. It can identify using below graph
(figure 3.10 selection of liquid flow pattern).

3.10 selection of Liquid-flow arrangement

Prasanna Welahetti Page 21

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.13.1 Flow pattern of rectifying section

81.41 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 25𝑘𝑔 826.6𝑘𝑔

Liquid flow rate of rectifying section =( × )/( )
3600 𝑠 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚3

= 6.83 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

Column Diameter = 0.999𝑚

Therefore the flow pattern is “Reverse flow”(According to figure 3.10)

3.11 Reverse Flow Down Comer

3.13.2 Flow pattern of stripping section

331.41 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 25𝑘𝑔 922.64𝑘𝑔

Liquid flow rate of stripping section =( × )/( )
3600 𝑠 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚3

= 2.09 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

Column Diameter = 0.837𝑚

Therefore the flow pattern is “Cross flow”. (According to figure 3.10)

3.12 Cross flow down comer

Prasanna Welahetti Page 22

 Distillation Column Design 2012

3.14 Column efficiency calculation

Here we can use “Van Winkle’s correlation” for calculate to efficiency of column.

3.13 Van Winkle’s correlation

Maximum and minimum temperatures of inside the column are respectively 100C˚ and
65C˚. Assume liquid temperature is average temperature of column. Assume properties of
liquid mixture are equal to water properties.
100+65
Average temperature of column = 2

= 82.5 C˚

Surface tension of liquid at 82.5 C˚ is calculated according to their molar basis of feed.

𝜎𝐿 = 0.109𝑁/𝑚

As the 𝑈𝑣 ; I have taken maximum Ua value from both sections.

𝑈𝑣 = 𝑈𝑎

𝑈𝑣 = 1.86𝑚/𝑠

𝜇𝐿 = 355 × 10−6 𝑁𝑠/𝑚2

Prasanna Welahetti Page 23

 Distillation Column Design 2012

As vapour and liquid densities; average densities were taken,

𝑣 = 1.19 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

𝐿 = 874.62 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

𝐷𝐿𝐾 = 5 × 10−9 𝑚2/𝑠

Weir height for 1 atm column is 40-90mm. Therefore here I’m assuming weir height of the
column is 45mm.

ℎ𝑤 = 45𝑚𝑚

Fractional area calculation;

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠
𝐹𝐴 = 𝐹𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
0.0418
𝐹𝐴 =
0.625
𝐹𝐴 = 0.067

Surface tension number calculation;

𝜎𝐿
𝐷𝑔 =
𝜇𝐿 × 𝑈𝑣

0.109
𝐷𝑔 =
355 × 10−6 × 1.86
𝐷𝑔 = 126.07

Liquid Schmidt number calculation;

𝜇𝐿
𝑆𝑐 =
𝐿 × 𝐷𝐿𝐾

355 × 10−6
𝑆𝑐 =
874.62 × 5 × 10−9
𝑆𝑐 = 81

Reynolds number calculation;

ℎ𝑤 × 𝑈𝑣 × 𝜌𝑣
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇𝐿 × 𝐹𝐴

Prasanna Welahetti Page 24

 Distillation Column Design 2012

0.045 × 1.86 × 1.19

𝑅𝑒 =
355 × 10−6 × 0.067
𝑅𝑒 = 4187.93

Therefore;

𝐸𝑚𝑣 = 0.07 × 126.070.14 × 810.25 × 4187.930.08

𝐸𝑚𝑣 = 0.79

= 79%

Therefore efficiency of column = 𝟕𝟗%

3.15 Calculation of actual number of stages required

I have already calculated required number of theoretical plates.

Number of theoretical stages required = 13

In other way below equation can use for efficiency calculation;

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠

𝐸𝑚𝑣 =
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠

13
0.79 =
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠 = 16.46

Therefore number of actual stages required =17

3.16 Calculation of height of the column

𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒏 𝑯𝒄 = (𝑵𝒂𝒄𝒕 − 𝟏)𝑯𝒔 + ∆𝑯 + 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

No. of plates 𝑁𝑎𝑐𝑡 = 17

Tray spacing Hs = 0.45 m

∆H= 0.5 meter each for liquid hold up and vapor disengagement

Prasanna Welahetti Page 25

 Distillation Column Design 2012

∆H=1 m

Assume thickness of a plate is 5mm.

Total thickness of trays = 0.005 × 17

= 0.085m

Height of column = (17 − 1) × 0.45 + 1 + 0.034

= 8.234 𝑚

Therefore the height of the column is 8.234m.

3.17 Calculation of feed tray location

Assume here plate numbers are count from top to bottom.

According to figure 3.6 vapour-liquid equilibrium curve; it can find the feed tray location.

Feed composition of methanol is 0.35. This value is at 10th plate (theoretical) of the column.
To calculate the actual feed tray location this value need to divide with column efficiency.
10
Therefore feed tray location = 0.79

= 12.66

= 13𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒

Prasanna Welahetti Page 26

 Distillation Column Design 2012

4 References
 Separation Process En gineering,2nd Edition, Phillip C.Wankat
 Chemical Engineering volume 6, 4th Edition, Coulson & Richardson’s
 Mass-transfer Operations,3rd Edition, Robert E.Treybal
 http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/je00019a016
 http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-dynamic-kinematic-viscosity-d_596.html
 http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/methanol-properties-d_1209.html

Prasanna Welahetti Page 27

 Distillation Column Design 2012

5 Summary

Name Sign Result

Distillate flow rate D 87.77 kmol/hr
Waste flow rate W 162.23 kmol/hr
q value q 1
Minimum Reflux ratio 𝑅 𝑚𝑖𝑛 0.742
Operating Reflux ratio R 0.9275
Number of theoretical plates 13
Liquid flow rate of rectifying section L0,Ln 81.41 kmol/hr
Vapour flow rate of rectifying section 𝑉𝑛 169.18 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟

Flooding velocity of rectifying section 𝑈𝑓 2.65𝑚/𝑠

Column Diameter of rectifying Section Dc 0.999m

Flooding velocity of Stripping section 𝑈𝑓 2.53𝑚/𝑠

Column Diameter of Stripping Section Dc 0.837m

Tray Space of both sections lt 0.45m
Hole diameter Dh 6mm
Number of hole in a plate at rectifying Section 2106
Number of hole in a plate at Stripping Section 1478
Down comer type of rectifying section Reverse flow down comer
Down comer type of Stripping section Cross flow down comer
Column efficiency Emv 79%
Number of actual plates 17
Height of the column 8.234 𝑚
Feed tray location 13th plate

5.1 Summary

Prasanna Welahetti Page 28