Analyzing a Rectifying Column Using the Calculus of Finite Differences

Initializing live version
Download to Desktop

Requires a Wolfram Notebook System

Interact on desktop, mobile and cloud with the free Wolfram Player or other Wolfram Language products.

This Demonstration analyzes a rectifying column for a binary mixture with a constant-relative volatility . A binary mixture enters the bottom of the column with a mole fraction composition . At the top of the column, the vapor is sent to a condenser. A portion of the condensed liquid is returned to the column. The mass balance for this operation by stages is described by the following nonlinear Riccati equation [1, 2]:

[more]

,

where , , , is the reflux ratio that measures the amount of liquid returned to the column, and is the specified distillate composition leaving the condenser. This nonlinear Ricatti equation can be solved using Mathematica's RSolve function. The solution then has two unknowns: and an arbitrary constant , which can be determined by specifying at and at . Hence the solutions of the Riccati equation for values of in the range are bounded by mole fractions that lie in the range .

Integer values of in the range define the liquid composition that leaves an equilibrium stage such that the vapor leaving that stage has composition . The largest integer value in the interval determines the number of theoretical equilibrium stages () for a set value of (i.e., mole fraction at the bottom of the rectifying section).

This Demonstration plots the McCabe and Thiele diagram and displays (in red) found by solving the Riccati equation. You can change the values of the constant-relative volatility , the reflux ratio , the distillate mole fraction , and the mole fraction at the bottom of the rectifying section . The blue line in the plot defines the operating line for the column, the requirement that mass is conserved over an equilibrium stage.

Similar treatment can be performed for a stripping column.

[less]

Contributed by: Housam Binous, Brian G. Higgins, and Ahmed Bellagi (February 2013)
Open content licensed under CC BY-NC-SA


Snapshots


Details

A schematic of the rectifying column:

References

[1] F. M. Tiller and R. S. Tour, "Stagewise Operations—Applications of the Calculus of Finite Differences to Chemical Engineering," Transactions of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 40, 1944 pp. 317–332.

[2] R. G. Rice and D. D. Do, Applied Mathematics and Modeling for Chemical Engineers, New York: Wiley, 1995.



Feedback (field required)
Email (field required) Name
Occupation Organization
Note: Your message & contact information may be shared with the author of any specific Demonstration for which you give feedback.
Send