CHAPTER 2: PROCESS UNITS AND DEGREE OF

FREEDOM ANALYSIS

CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

FALL 2020
By: Dr. Joy Tannous

All slides use the following textbook unless otherwise stated: N.M. Ghasem and R. Henda (2009), Principles of chemical Engineering Processes, CRC Press, NY, USA
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

OUTLINE

 Objectives

 Part 1: Process units

 Part 2: BFD, PFD and P&ID
 Part 3: Degree of freedom analysis

 Exercises

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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

CHAPTER 2 OBJECTIVES

• Perform a degree of freedom analysis.

• Calculate the number degrees of freedom in a problem to ascertain that a unique

solution exists for a problem using the given data.

• Understand the function of most frequently used unit operations in chemical

engineering processes.

• Prepare material flow diagram and translate the problem into a material balance.

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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

Part 1: Process Units

(Section 2.1 in textbook)

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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

WHAT ARE THE MAIN UNIT OPERATIONS?

The main unit operations used in chemical engineering processes are:

• Divider / Splitter
• Mixer
• Dryer
• Filter
• Distillation columns
• Evaporator
• Dehumidifier
• Humidifier
• Leaching and extraction
• Absorber / Stripper
• Partial condenser / Flash evaporator
• Crystallizer
• Reactors

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CONSERVATION OF MASS

Mass can never be created or destroyed, it is only conserved.

σ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡 =σ 𝑚𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡

2 3
Unit 4
1
5

m1+m2=m3+m4+m5

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DIVIDER/SPLITTER

A divider or splitter is used to divide the flow rate in a certain stream

into two or more streams with different flow rates.

Properties of streams F1, F2

and F3 are the same except for
the flow rates (mass flow rate,
volumetric flow rate, etc.)

𝑚ሶ 1 = 𝑚ሶ 2+ 𝑚ሶ 3

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MIXER/BLENDER
A mixer or blender is a unit that mixes two or more entering
streams. It always has 2 or more inlets and only 1 outlet.

The streams can be at any phase, that is, gas, liquid, or solid.

𝑚ሶ 1 + 𝑚ሶ 2 = 𝑚ሶ 3

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DRYER
Drying is a mass transfer process resulting in the removal of
moisture by evaporation from a solid, semisolid, or liquid to
produce a solid state. To achieve this operation, the dryer is supplied
by a source of heat. Vapor is produced in the process.

• Solvent stream leaves as a pure vapor and

is free of solids.
• Exit dried products are in solid phase.
• Dried solids may not be solvent free.

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FILTER

Filtration is a technique used either to remove impurities from a liquid or to

isolate a solid from the fluid. Filtration is commonly a mechanical or a physical
operation which is used for the separation of solids from fluids (liquids or
gases) by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass.

• Filtrate is the exit liquid and is free of

solids.
• Filter cake is the wet solid that leaves
with some liquid attached.

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DISTILLATION COLUMN

Distillation is a method of separating chemical substances based on differences

in their boiling points (volatility). Separation is accomplished by boiling.

It is a very important unit in the

oil refineries. Distillation is a
unit present in every refinery.

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DISTILLATION COLUMN

Distillation is a method of separating chemical substances based on differences

in their boiling points (volatility). Separation is accomplished by boiling.

• More volatile components (boil at a lower

T) are present in the distillate
• Less volatile components are in the
bottoms.
• Each tray accomplishes a fraction of the
separation task by transferring the more
volatile species to the gas phase and the
less volatile species to the liquid phase.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaBMXgVBQKk
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

EVAPORATOR

An evaporator is a device used for concentrating solutions. If a solution has

compound A with a large amount of solvent, it is possible to concentrate A by
evaporating then condensing the solvent.

An evaporator is like a dryer, except

that both process streams (feed and
condensate) are liquids in the case of
an evaporator.

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DEHUMIDIFIER

A dehumidifier is a device that reduces the level of humidity in air or a gas

stream.

• Feed stream contains a condensable

component and a non-condensable
component.
• Condensate is a liquid with the
condensable component only, such
as water in air.

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HUMIDIFIER

A humidifier is a device that increases the amount of moisture in indoor air or

a stream of air. It operates by allowing water to evaporate from a pan or a
wetted surface, or by circulating air through an air-washer compartment that
contains moisture.

• Feed gas is not saturated.

• Liquid is evaporated in the process
unit.
• Exit vapor product may or may not
be saturated.

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EXTRACTION
Extraction is a liquid-liquid separation process in which a component is
extracted from one liquid to the other by a difference in solubility. The two
liquids must be immiscible and must have different specific gravities
(densities)

Component A

Liquid 1 Liquid 2

• Feed contains liquid 1 that has component A.

• Solvent is liquid 2 in which component A is
more soluble and will, thus, transfer to it
• Raffinate is liquid 1 without component A.
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• Extract is liquid 2 with component A.
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

LEACHING

Leaching is a solid-liquid extraction process in which materials are extracted

from a solid by dissolving them into a liquid.

Leaching of toxic materials into groundwater is a major health concern. In

leaching, the liquid to which materials are extracted to from a carrier is not
always a solvent.

Component A

Solid Liquid

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ABSORBER OR SCRUBBER
Absorption is the process of extracting a soluble component from a gas phase
to a liquid phase in which the component is soluble. This process takes place in
an absorber or scrubber.

Component A

Gas Liquid

• Example: removing impurities (like

hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and
ammonia) from air using a solvent.

• The liquid stream flows down through the

tower by gravity, while the gas stream is
pumped upward through the tower.
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STRIPPER

Desorption is the process of extracting a soluble component from a liquid

phase to a gas phase in which the component is soluble. This process takes
place in a stripper.

Component A

Gas Liquid

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PARTIAL CONDENSER AND FLASH

SEPARATOR
A partial condenser partly condenses a vapor
stream. Condensation is
caused by cooling or increasing pressure.
• Flash separator splits a liquid
feed into vapor- and liquid- • Feed is a vapor.
• Feed stream contains only condensable vapor
phase products.
components, and exit streams contain liquid, L, and
vapor, V, which are in equilibrium.
• Liquid and vapor emerging from
the partial condenser are separated
using a flash separator. Flash separator
• Vaporization is caused by reducing
the pressure or by heating
Partial condenser

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CRYSTALLIZER

Crystallizers are used in industry to achieve liquid-solid separation.

The process for a crystallizer is a crystallizer–filter combination so as
to separate solid crystals from a solution.

• Solid crystals are formed in the unit by a

change in temperature.
• Crystallization is capable of generating
high purity products with a relatively low
energy input.

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REACTORS

A chemical reactor carries out a chemical reaction that converts

molecular species in the input (whereby a species loses its
identity) to different molecular species in the output.

• A reactor is often named by the

chemical reaction taking place within
it.

• Multiple exit streams are shown to

remind you to watch for streams that
separate because of their different
phases
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REACTORS TYPES
The most commonly used reactors in the industry are of 5 types

Batch reactors Continuous-flow reactors

(non-steady state) (steady state)

Spatially non-uniform Spatially uniform properties

properties (perfect mixing)

Plug flow reactor Continuous stirred

(PFR) tank reactor (CSTR)

Packed bed reactor Fluidized bed reactor

(PBR) (FBR)

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BATCH REACTOR
The reactants in a batch reactor are loaded at once
and continuously mixed.

Main characteristics of a batch reactor:

• Unsteady-state operation (accumulation is present)

• Spatial uniformity of concentration and temperature
(perfectly mixed)
• Mainly used for small-scale production
• Suitable for slow reactions
• Mainly (not exclusively) for liquid-phase reactions with
large charge in/cleanup times.
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PLUG FLOW REACTOR (PFR) & PACKED BED

REACTOR (PBR)
In PFR and PBR, reactants are continuously fed and products are continuously removed.
PFR is only used for homogeneous reactions.
PBR is used for heterogeneous reactions.

Main characteristics of a PFR and PBR:

• Steady-state operation
• Variation of concentration and temperature
on space, no mixing along the reactor but
complete mixing in the radial direction
• Suitable for fast reactions
• Mainly used for gas-phase reactions with
difficult temperature control, and no 25

moving parts
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CONTINUOUS STIRRED TANK REACTOR

(CSTR) AND FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR (FBR)
In CSTR and FBR, reactants are continuously fed and products are continuously removed.

CSTR is only used for homogeneous reactions.

FBR is used for heterogeneous reactions.

Main characteristics of a CSTR:

• Steady-state operation
• Good mixing leading to spatially uniform
concentration and temperature
• Condition of the outlet stream is the same as the
condition in the reactor.
• Used for liquid-phase reactions, and suitable for 26

viscous liquids.
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR (FBR)

In fluidized bed reactors, reactants are continuously fed and

products are continuously removed.

Main characteristics of a fluidized bed reactor:

• Steady-state operation
• Good mixing leading to spatially uniform
concentration and temperature
• Catalyst particles move with respect to each
other which is the main difference between
PBR and FBR

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Part 2: BFD, PFD and P&ID

(Sections 2.2 and 2.3 in textbook)

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BLOCK FLOW DIAGRAM (BFD)

Example

Block flow diagram is a drawing

of a chemical processes used to
simplify and understand the basic
structure of a system.

A BFD is the simplest form of

the flow diagrams used in
industry.

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PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM (PFD)

Example

Process flow diagram is a

diagram commonly used in
chemical and process
engineering to indicate the
general flow of plant
processes and equipment.

A PFD displays the

relationship between major
equipment of a plant facility
and does not show minor
details such as piping
details and designations

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PIPING AND INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM

(P&ID)
Example

Piping and
instrumentation
diagram is a
detailed diagram in
the process industry
which shows the
piping and process
equipment together
with the
instrumentation and
control devices.

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Part 3: Degree of
freedom analysis
(Sections 2.3 and 2.4 in textbook)

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WHAT IS DEGREE OF FREEDOM ANALYSIS?

DFA is a highly useful tool for a systematic analysis of block flow diagrams (BFD).

It provides a rapid means for assessing if a specific problem is “solvable”:

Is the number of independent variables equal to the number of equations?

Steps for degree of freedom analysis:

Step 1: Draw a flow diagram

Step 2: Label each stream with the components present in it

Step 3: Draw balance boundaries:

❑ Draw a boundary around each process unit
❑ Draw a boundary around junction points
❑ Draw a boundary around the entire process (unless there is only one
boundary).
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Step 4: Determine the number of equations that can be written for each drawn boundary
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

NUMBER DEGREE OF FREEDOM

Number degree of freedom (NDF) can be calculated using the following

equation:

NDF = number of unknowns – number of independent material balance equations

The number degree of freedom can have three possible values:

• NDF = 0. The system is completely defined. You get a unique solution.

• NDF > 0. The system is under-defined (underspecified). There are an infinite
number of solutions. More independent equations are needed.
• NDF < 0. The system is over defined (over specified). There are too many
restrictions. Check if you have too many equations or too many restrictions. Over
defined problems cannot be solved to be consistent with all equations.
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WHAT ARE INDEPENDENT EQUATIONS?

A set of equations are said to be independent, if you cannot derive one by adding
and/or subtracting combinations of the others:

Set of Independent Equations

Set of Non-Independent Equations

x2

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SOURCE OF INDEPENDENT EQUATIONS

• Material balances (= number of molecular species for a non reactive

process).

• Energy balance.

• Process specifications given in the problem statement.

• Physical properties and laws.

Very important to remember:

• Physical constraints. When you have more than one

unit in series, NDF can be done
• Stoichiometric relations. for every control volume

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EXAMPLE 2.3

A feed stream enters a distillation column flowing at a rate of 300 mol/h and
containing 20 mol% of component 1 and 80 mol% component 2. The distillate
flow rate is 200 mol/h. Draw and label the process flow chart, and perform degree
of freedom analysis.

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EXAMPLE 2.3 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.3 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.6

A feed stream flows at a molar flow rate of 100 mol/h and contains three
components (20% component A, 30% component B and the balance component C
by mol). 80% of A in the feed ends up in the distillate and 50% of the feed rate end
up in the distillate. The bottom stream contains 10% A, 70%B and 20% C (by
mole). Draw and label the process flow chart, and perform and degree of freedom
analysis.

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EXAMPLE 2.6 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.6 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.11

A hydrocarbon feed consisting of a mixture of 20 wt% propane (C3), 30 wt%

isobutene (iC4), 20 wt% iso-pentane (iC5), and 30 wt% n-pentane (nC5) is
fractionated at a rate of 100 kg/h into a distillate. The latter contains all the
propane and 78% of the iso-pentane in the feed. The mass fraction of iso-butane in
the distillate is 0.378. The bottom stream contains all the n-pentane fed to the unit.
Draw, label the process flow chart and perform degree of freedom analysis.

Practice at
home

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EXAMPLE 2.11 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.11 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.14

An absorber–stripper system is used to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen

sulfide from a feed consisting of 30% CO2 and 10% H2S in nitrogen. In the
absorber, a solvent selectively absorbs hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The
absorber overhead contains only 1% CO2 and no H2S. N2 is insoluble in the
solvent. The rich solvent stream leaving the absorber is flashed, and the overhead
stream consists of 20% solvent, and contains 25% of the CO2 and 15% of the H2S
in the raw feed to the absorber. The liquid stream leaving the flash unit is split into
equal portions, one being returned to the absorber. The other portion, which
contains 5% CO2, is fed to the stripper. The liquid stream leaving the stripper
consisting of pure solvent is returned to the absorber along with makeup solvent.
The stripper overhead contains 30% solvent. Draw and completely label a flow
sheet of the process and perform a degree of freedom analysis.

Practice at
home
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EXAMPLE 2.14 (CHART DRAWN IN CLASS)

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EXAMPLE 2.14 (ANSWER KEY)

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EXAMPLE 2.14 (ANSWER KEY)

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HOMEWORK 2 PROBLEMS

Problem 2.1

Problem 2.2

Problem 2.3

Problem 2.4

Problem 2.6

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End of Chapter 2
 CHAPTER 3: MATERIAL BALANCE ON
SINGLE-UNIT PROCESS

CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

FALL 2020
By: Dr. Joy Tannous

All slides use the following textbook unless otherwise stated: N.M. Ghasem and R. Henda (2009), Principles of chemical Engineering Processes, CRC Press, NY, USA
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

OUTLINE

 Objectives

 Part 1: Definition of material balance

 Part 2: Types of processes
 Part 3: Material balance for steady, non-reactive systems

 Exercises

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CHAPTER 3 OBJECTIVES

• Understand each term in the general balance equation.

• Explain the different types of processes.

• Draw and label a process flowchart.

• Define a system and draw its boundaries.

• Solve steady-state material balance problems with a single process unit and
without chemical reactions.

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Part 1: Definition of
material balance
(Section 3.1 and 3.2 in textbook)

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WHAT IS MATERIAL BALANCE?

The general equation for material balances, for a specific system boundary, is:

Accumulation = (In – Out) + (Generation – Consumption)

-Accumulation: Change in quantity (build-up) of material inside system.

-In: Material that enters the system by crossing system boundary.

-Out: Material that exits the system by crossing system boundary.

-Generation: Material that is produced by chemical reaction within the system.

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-Consumption: Material that is used up by chemical reaction within the system.
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

SIMPLIFICATIONS ON MATERIAL BALANCE

Accumulation = (In – Out) + (Generation – Consumption)

Steady-state system (a system Non-reactive system (no

whose properties do not chemical reaction, only
change with time): physical separation):
Accumulation = 0 Generation = Consumption = 0

The fundamental law of conservation of material balance is the

conservation of mass

Material balance is mostly called mass balance 34

 By Dr. Joy Tannous

CONSERVATION OF MASS
Mass can never be created or destroyed, it is only conserved.

Accumulation = (In – Out) + (Generation – Consumption)

0 0 0

σ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡 =σ 𝑚𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡

Did you know?

The Law of Conservation of Mass was discovered by

Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist in 1785.
Antoine Lavoisier 35
Lavoisier had a large influence on chemistry. He was the person
to recognize and name oxygen (1778) and hydrogen (1783).
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

CONSERVATION OF MASS
Mass can never be created or destroyed, it is only conserved.
Total mass of input = total mass of output

1 ton of gasoline

1 ton of naphtha
Reactor

1 ton of gases

• The concept of mass balance is a powerful tool in chemical engineering

analysis.
• Chemical engineers are concerned with writing mass balances around
chemical processes.
• Chemical engineers write mass balances to account for what happens to 36

each of the chemicals participating in a chemical process.

 By Dr. Joy Tannous

Part 2: Types of processes

(Sections 3.3 and 3.4 in textbook)

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TYPES OF PROCESSES

Based of the change of process with time, processes can be classified into two
types:

• Steady–state process: is a process whose properties do not change with

time. Every time we take a snapshot, all the variables have the same values
as in the first time.

• Unsteady–state (or transient) process: is a process whose properties

change with time. Every time we take a snapshot, many of the variables
have different values than in the previous time.

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TYPES OF PROCESSES

Based on how the process is designed to operate:

• Continuous processes: material is transferred into and out of the system

continuously at a constant rate. (e.g., distillation columns).

• Batch processes: no material is transferred into or out of the system over

the time period of interest (specialty products, e.g., cosmetics, medicines).

• Semi–batch processes: any process that is neither batch nor continuous

(e.g., chemicals in the process are handled batch wise but continuously
removed out of the process).

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TYPES OF MATERIAL BALANCES

The type of system has clear implications on the formulation of material

balances, there are two types of material balances:

• Differential mass balance: is a form of the balance that represents a

process continuous in time. This type of balance is generally applied to
continuous steady-state processes.

• Integral mass balance: is a form of the balance written over a time

interval, is generally applied to batch processes (non-steady state)

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Part 3: Material balance for

steady, non-reactive systems
(Sections 3.3 and 3.4 in textbook)

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FIRST STEP IN ANY MATERIAL BALANCE

• Draw a flowsheet

• Draw all process streams

• Write all knowns stream variables with their units

• Assign algebraic symbols to unknown stream variables (The use of consistent notation
is generally an advantage in process analysis).

Examples of stream variables:

m (mass)
𝑚ሶ (mass flow rate)
n (moles)
𝑛ሶ (mole flow rate)
V (volume)
𝑉ሶ (volumetric flow rate) 7
x (mass fraction)
y (molar fraction)
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

FIRST STEP IN ANY MATERIAL BALANCE

• Draw a flowsheet

• Draw all process streams

• Write all knowns stream variables with their units

• Assign algebraic symbols to unknown stream variables (The use of consistent notation
is generally an advantage in process analysis).

Write known and Write known and

unknown stream unknown stream
variables + units Unit variables + units

Write known and

unknown stream
variables + units 8
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

STREAM SPECIFICATIONS

Keep number of unknowns on each process stream to the minimum.

Example: A stream that contains 3 components 1, 2 and 3. It is

preferable to label the stream as:

𝑛ሶ 𝐹 (mol/h) 𝑛ሶ 𝐹 (mol/h)

𝑛ሶ 1,𝐹 (mol/h) Instead of 𝑛ሶ 1,𝐹 (mol/h)

𝑛ሶ 2,𝐹 (mol/h) 𝑛ሶ 2,𝐹 (mol/h)
𝑛ሶ 𝐹 − 𝑛ሶ 1,𝐹 − 𝑛ሶ 2,𝐹 (mol/h) 𝑛ሶ 3,𝐹 (mol/h)

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STREAM SPECIFICATIONS
A stream containing only “i” components will have:

• Flow rate of stream is the summation of flow rates of all

components

• The summation of all mole or mass fractions of components are

equal to 1 in each stream.

Example 1: Stream F contains 100 kg of O2 and 700 kg of CH4. Label the stream.

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STREAM SPECIFICATIONS
A stream containing only “i” components will have:

• Flow rate of stream is the summation of flow rates of all

components

• The summation of all mole or mass fractions of components are

equal to 1 in each stream.

Example 2: 1000 kg of a mixture of O2 ,N2 and CH4 are fed to process. The
stream has 20% O2 by mass. Label the stream.

xO2 = 0.2
xN 2 = ? or

xCH 4 = 1 - 0.2 - x N 2
= 0.8 - x N 2
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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

EXAMPLE 3.1

A mixture of three components (A, B and C) enters a separation process. The three

components appear in the distillate with variable composition. In contrast, only B

and C appear in the bottom. Write a proper set of material balance equations.

Practice at
home

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EXAMPLE 3.1 (SOLUTION KEY)

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EXAMPLE 3.2

A mixture containing 10% ethanol (E) and 90% H2O (W) by weight is fed into a

distillation column at the rate of 100 kg/h. The distillate contains 60% ethanol and the

distillate is produced at a rate of one tenth that of the feed. Draw and label a flowchart

of the process. Calculate all unknown stream flow rates and compositions.

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EXAMPLE 3.2 (SOLUTION KEY)

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EXAMPLE 3.2 (SOLUTION KEY)

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SCALING
Scaling is changing the values of all stream amounts of a certain process by
proportional amounts while leaving the stream compositions unchanged.

Scaling down Scaling up

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BASIS OF CALCULATION
A basis of calculation is a value for an amount or a flow rate of one
of the process streams.

A basis of calculation is usually assumed when no amount or flow

rate is given for any stream.

• If a stream amount or flow rate is given in the problem statement, use this as the
basis of calculation.
• If no stream amount or flow rate is known, assume one, preferably a stream of
known composition.
• If mass fractions are known, choose a total mass or mass flow rate of that stream
(e.g., 100 kg or 100 kg/h).
• If mole fractions are known, choose a total number of moles or a molar flow rate
(e.g., 100 mol or 100 mol/h).

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PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING MATERIAL

BALANCE PROBLEMS
• Read the problem carefully and express what the problem statement asks you to
determine.

• Analyze the information given in the problem.

• Properly label all known qualities and unknown quantities on a flow chart.

• Choose a basis for calculation.

• Select a system, draw its boundaries and state your assumptions.

• Determine the number of unknowns and the number of equations that can be
written that relate to them.

• Calculate the quantities requested in the problem statement. Check your solution
and whether it makes sense? 19
 By Dr. Joy Tannous

EXAMPLE 3.3
A feed stream is flowing at a mass flow rate of 100 kg/min. The stream contains
20 kg/min NaOH and 80 kg/min of water. The distillate flows at 40 kg/min and
contains 5 kg/min NaOH . Determine bottom stream mass flow rate and
composition.

Practice at
home

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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

EXAMPLE 3.8
A 100 kg/h mixture of benzene (B) and toluene (T) containing 50% benzene by
mass is separated by distillation into two fractions. The mass flow rate of benzene
in the top stream is 45 kg B/h and that of toluene in the bottom stream is 47.5 kg
T/h. The operation is under steady state. Write balances for benzene and toluene to
calculate the unknown component flow rate in the output streams.

Practice at
home

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EXAMPLE 3.9
Two methanol–water mixtures are mixed in a stirred tank. The first mixture
contains 40.0 wt% methanol and the second one contains 70.0 wt% methanol. If
200 g/s of the first mixture is combined with 150 g/s of the second one, what are
the mass and composition of the product?

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EXAMPLE 3.10
To make strawberry jam, strawberries containing 15 wt% solids and 85 wt% water
are crushed. The crushed strawberries and sugar are mixed in a 4/5 mass ratio and
the mixture is heated to evaporate water. The residue contains one-third water by
mass. Calculate the amounts of strawberries and of evaporated water needed to
make 100 g of jam.

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EXAMPLE 3.13
A gas stream containing 40% O2, 40% H2, and 20 mol% H2O is to be dried by
cooling the steam and condensing out the water. If 100 mol/h of a gas stream is to
be processed, what is the rate at which the water will be condensed out and what is
the composition of dry gas?

Practice at
home

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EXAMPLE 3.16
A feed rate of 100 mol/h of an equimolar mixture of ethanol (E), propanol (P), and
butanol (B) is separated in a distillation column into two streams. The overhead
stream (distillate) contains 2/3 ethanol and no butanol, and the bottom stream is
free of ethanol. Calculate the rates and compositions of the overhead and bottom
streams.

Practice at
home

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 By Dr. Joy Tannous

EXAMPLE 3.17
The feed to a distillation column contains 36% benzene (B) by weight, and the
remainder being toluene (T). The overhead distillate is to contain 52% benzene by
weight, while the bottom is to contain 5% benzene by weight. Calculate the
percentage of the benzene in the feed that is contained in the distillate, and the
percentage of the total feed that leaves as distillate.

Remember! You can assume a basis of

calculation if you don’t have enough given to Practice at
solve the problem (check solution) home

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EXAMPLE 3.18
Three input streams are fed into an evaporation chamber to produce an output
stream with the desired composition. Liquid water, fed at a rate of 20.0 cm3/min,
air (21 mol% O2, the balance N2), and pure oxygen, fed at one-fifth of the molar
flow rate of air stream. The output gas is analyzed and is found to contain 1.5
mol% water. Draw and label a flowchart of the process, and calculate all unknown
stream variables.

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PROBLEM 3.16
In the preparation of a soft drink, the total quantity of carbon dioxide required is
the equivalent of 3 volumes of gas to one volume of water at 0°C and atmospheric
pressure. Ignoring all components other than CO2 (assumed to be an ideal gas) and
water, and based on 1000 kg of water (density of water 1000 kg/m3), calculate the
mole fraction of CO2 in the drink.

R=0.08206 atm . m3 /kmol. K

MW (water) = 18 g/mol
MW (CO2) = 44 g/mol

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HOMEWORK 3 PROBLEMS

Problem 3.2

Problem 3.6

Problem 3.10

Problem 3.12

Problem 3.14

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End of Chapter 3