Ponchon Savarit
Ponchon Savarit
Ponchon Savarit
11.6-3. Minimum Reflux and Theoretical Number of Trays. A feed of ethanol-water containing 60
wt % ethanol is to be distilled at 101.32 kPa pressure to give a distillate containing 85 wt %
ethanol and a bottoms containing 2 wt % ethanol. The feed rate is 10 000 kg/h and its enthalpy
is 116.3 kJ/kg (50 btu/lbm). Use consistent units of kg/h, weight fraction, and kJ/kg.
a) Calculate the amount of distillate and bottoms.
b) Determine the minimum reflux ratio using enthalpy-concentration data from Appendix
A.3.
c) Using 2.0 times the minimum reflux ratio, determine the theoretical number of trays
needed.
d) Calculate the condenser and reboiler heat loads.
e) Determine the minimum number of theoretical plates at total reflux.
References
Geankoplis, C. J. (2012). Principles of Transport Processes and Separation Processes. Pearson Education
South Asia PTE. LTD.