Problem 2: Solving a set of linear algebraic equations by Gauss Elimination Method

a) Application in series of distillation columns:

Benzene (1), toluene (2), styrene (3), and xylene (4) are to be separated in the sequence of
distillation columns shown in the figure. Determine molar flow rates of all the streams. The
composition of all the streams is mentioned in the figure. The molar flow rate of the feed stream
is 70 mol/min. Use the Gauss-Elimination method to solve it. Display upper triangular
matrix along with solution.

D1 X1 = 0.35
X2 = 0.54
X3 = 0.04
X4 = 0.07

X1 = 0.16
X2 = 0.42
B1 X3 = 0.24
70 mol/min X4 = 0.18

X1 = 0.2 X1 = 0.21
D2 X2 = 0.54
X2 = 0.4
X3 = 0.10
X3 = 0.25
X4 = 0.15
X4 = 0.15
B
X1 = 0.01
X2 = 0.10
B2 X3 = 0.65
X4 = 0.24

b) Write a more general code where the condition of partial pivoting is included. Check if
the code is successfully run for the following matrix.
1 −1 2 𝑥1 −8
[2 −2 3] [𝑥2 ] = [−20]
1 1 1 𝑥3 2

CANM Lab Problems (Prepared by Dr. Md Oayes Midda) MNIT Jaipur