EKC 217

Tutorial 7
1. A methanol (A) - water (B) solution containing 36 mole% methanol is to be continuously
rectified at 1 atm pressure at a rate of 216.8 kmol/h (60.22 mol/s) to provide a distillate
containing 99.9 mole% methanol and a residue (bottom product) containing 0.1 mole%
methanol. The feed to the column is to be preheated to its bubble point. The distillate is to
be totally condensed and the reflux returned at the bubble point. A reflux ratio of 1.5 times
the minimum will be used.
Vapour liquid equilibrium data for methanol (A) and water are shown in the Table Q.1[a]:
Table Q.1[a]
x 0 0.08 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.70 0.90 0.95 1.00
y 0 0.365 0.418 0.579 0.665 0.729 0.779 0.870 0.958 0.979 1.00

Determine the number of theoretical stages required if the feed is introduced at the optimal
location.
Hint: First, plot the equilibrium curve and reference line (y = x). Locate the “pinch point”
then find the minimum reflux ratio, then only can plot the enriching section operating line
with the given condition of a reflux ratio of 1.5 time the minimum. Subsequently, draws
the q-line and stripping section operating line. You should be able to get a similar full
scale Mc-Cable Thiele graph as shown below.

Full scale Mc-Cable Thiele graph

Follow by enlarging the Region 2 (x value from 0.90 to 1.00) and Region 3 (x value from
0.00 to 0.05) into two separate graphs by using large scale for example 2 cm for 0.01
units. Then, calculate the number of stages for that two separate graphs. Finally, total up
the number of stages for Region 1 (from enlarge graph) + Region 2 (from full scale graph)
+ Region 3 (from enlarge graph), these would give you the overall number of stages
needed. You should get the similar number of stages as the Example in Lecture 9.