SUBMITTED BY:

SONAWANE VRUSHABH RAJENDRABHAI

21CH60R69

ASSIGNMENT 1
Petroleum Refinery Engineering
 Table of Contents

1) Numerical Problem -1.........................................................................................................2

a) Problem Statement:......................................................................................................2
b) Solution:.........................................................................................................................2
i) For Distillate Product D:..........................................................................................4
ii) For Bottom Product W:...........................................................................................4
iii) For Distillate Composition:......................................................................................5
iv) For Bottom Product Composition:..........................................................................5
2) Numerical Problem -2.........................................................................................................7
a) Problem Statement:......................................................................................................7
b) Solution:.........................................................................................................................7
i) For Distillate Product D:..........................................................................................9
ii) For Bottom Product W:...........................................................................................9
iii) For Distillate Composition:......................................................................................9
iv) For Bottom Product Composition:........................................................................10
v) Calculation of Enriching Section:..........................................................................11
vi) Calculation of Stripping Section:...........................................................................14

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 Numerical Problem -1

Problem Statement:

It is required to separate a saturated quaternary mixture containing propane, n-butane, n-

pentane and n-hexane at a feed rate (F) of 100 kmol/h. The system pressure is 1 atm. And
the reflux ratio is 3. The reflux is at its bubble point. It is desired to recover 99% of butane in
the distillate and 99.5% of the pentane in the bottom stream.
Calculate (i) composition of the distillate and bottom product.
Given, mol fraction of propane, butane, pentane and hexane in the feed are 0.06, 0.33, 0.45
and 0.16 respectively.

Component Zi
Propane 0.06
Butane 0.33
Pentane 0.45
Hexane 0.16

Solution:

Distillate D

Multicomponent
Distillation
Feed F= 100 Kmol/hr

Z1 = 0.06

Z2 = 0.33
Bottom Product
Z3 = 0.45
W
Z4 = 0.16

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Overall Balance,
F=D+W
‫؞‬ 100 = D + W
Here, it is desired to recover 99% Butane in Distillate D and 99 % recovery of Pentane in
Bottom Product W.
For Butane:

99 % of Feed Butane is in D, so now

‫؞‬ Butane in feed *0.99 = Butane in D
‫؞‬ 0.99*0.33*100 = D*y2
‫؞‬ D*y2 = 32.67 Kmol/hr …..(1)

Now, rest of the Butane is in Bottom Product W,

‫؞‬ Butane in feed*0.01 = Butane in W
‫؞‬ 0.01*0.33*100 = W*x2
‫؞‬ W*x2 =0.33 Kmol/hr …..(2)

For Pentane:

99.5 % of Feed Pentane is in W, so now

‫؞‬ Pentane in feed *0.995 = Pentane in W
‫؞‬ 0.995*0.45*100 = w*x3
‫؞‬ W*x3 = 44.775 Kmol/hr …..(3)

Now, rest of the Pentane is in D,

‫؞‬ Pentane in feed*0.01 = Pentane in D
‫؞‬ 0.005*0.45*100 = D*y3
‫؞‬ D*y3 =0.225 Kmol/hr …..(4)

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Now, From the concept of light key and heavy key , we assume that
1. All the Propane present in feed goes to Distillate D , so Propane concentration in
Bottom product W is zero.

‫؞‬ Propane in feed = Propane in D

‫؞‬ 0.06*100 = D*y1
‫؞‬ D*y1 = 6 Kmol/hr …..(5)
and W*y1 = 0 Kmol/hr …..(6)
2. All the Hexane present in feed goes to Bottom Product W, so Hexane concentration
in Distillate is zero.

‫؞‬ Hexane in feed = Hexane in W

‫؞‬ 0.16*100 = W*x4
‫؞‬ W*x4 = 16 Kmol/hr …..(7)
and D*y4 = 0 Kmol/hr …..(8)

For Distillate Product D:

Now, by adding equations (1), (4), (5), (8), we get value of Total Distillate Product D,
‫؞‬ D = (D*y1 )+ (D*y2 )+ (D*y3 )+ (D*y4 )
‫؞‬ D= 6 + 32.67 + 0.225 + 0
‫؞‬ D= 38.895 Kmol/hr

For Bottom Product W:

Now, by adding equations (2), (3), (6), (7), we get value of Total Bottom Product W,
‫؞‬ W = (W*x1 )+ (W*x2 )+ (W*x3 )+ (W*x4 )
‫؞‬ W = 0 + 0.33 + 44.775 + 16
‫؞‬ W = 61.105 Kmol/hr

{Tip: W can be easily by , W= F – D = 100 – 38.895 = 61.105 Kmol/hr }

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Now, for finding individual component concentration in both the products.
For Distillate Composition:
D= 38.895 Kmol/hr

From equation (5)  D*y1 = 6 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 38.895*y1 = 6
‫؞‬ y1 = 0.1542

From equation (1)  D*y2 = 32.67 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 38.895*y2 = 32.67
‫؞‬ y2 = 0.84

From equation (4)  D*y3 = 0.225 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 38.895*y3 = 0.225
‫؞‬ y3 = 0.00578

From equation (8)  D*y4 = 0 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ y4 = 0

For Bottom Product Composition:

W=61.105 Kmol/hr

From equation (6)  W*x1 = 0 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ y1 = 0

From equation (2)  W*x2 = 0.33 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 61.105*x2 = 0.33
‫؞‬ x2 = 0.0054

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From equation (3)  W*x3 = 44.775 Kmol/hr
‫؞‬ 61.105*x3 = 44.775
‫؞‬ x3 = 0.7327

From equation (7)  W*x4 = 16 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 61.105*x4 = 16
‫؞‬ x4 = 0.2618

Component Zi yi xi
Propane 0.06 0.1542 0
Butane 0.33 0.84 0.0054
Pentane 0.45 0.00578 0.7327
Hexane 0.16 0 0.2618

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 Numerical Problem -2

Problem Statement:
A stream with 40 mol% n-heptane, 20% n-octane and 40% n-decane is to be distilled to
achieve an n-octane fractional recovery of 0.9 in distillate and an ndecane fractional
recovery of 0.8 in the bottoms. The column has a partial condenser and a total reboiler. The
column is operated at a pressure of 101.3 kPa and the feed flow arte is 1000 kmol/h. Feed is
flashed at 100% efficiency. The reflux ratio is 3.
(i) Write the governing equations and show your calculations.
(ii) Do calculations for at least one equilibrium stage assuming the feed stage is
not at the stage where you start stage-by-stage calculations.
Solution:

Feed F = 1000 Kmol/hr

Heptane = 40%
Octane = 20%
Decane = 40 %

Component Zi
1 Heptane 0.4
2 Octane 0.2
3 Decane 0.4

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Overall Balance,
F=D+W
‫؞‬ 1000 = D + W
Here, it is desired to recover 90% Octane in Distillate D and 80 % recovery of Decane in
Bottom Product W.
For Octane:
90 % of Feed Octane is in D, so now
‫؞‬ Octane in feed *0.9 = Octane in D
‫؞‬ 0.9*0.2*1000 = D*y2
‫؞‬ D*y2 = 180 Kmol/hr …..(1)

Now, rest of the Octane is in Bottom Product W,

‫؞‬ Octane in feed*0.1 = Octane in W
‫؞‬ 0.1*0.2*1000 = W*x2
‫؞‬ W*x2 =20 Kmol/hr …..(2)

For Decane:
80 % of Feed Decane is in W, so now
‫؞‬ Decane in feed *0.995 = Decane in W
‫؞‬ 0.8*0.4*1000 = w*x3
‫؞‬ W*x3 = 320 Kmol/hr …..(3)

Now, rest of the Decane is in D,

‫؞‬ Decane in feed*0.01 = Decane in D
‫؞‬ 0.2*0.4*1000 = D*y3
‫؞‬ D*y3 =80 Kmol/hr …..(4)

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Now, From the concept of light key and heavy key , we assume that
3. All the Heptane present in feed goes to Distillate D , so Heptane concentration in
Bottom product W is zero.

‫؞‬ Heptane in feed = Heptane in D

‫؞‬ 0.4*1000 = D*y1
‫؞‬ D*y1 = 400 Kmol/hr …..(5)
and W*y1 = 0 Kmol/hr …..(6)
For Distillate Product D:

Now, by adding equations (1), (4), (5), we get value of Total Distillate Product D,
‫؞‬ D = (D*y1 )+ (D*y2 )+ (D*y3 )
‫؞‬ D= 400 + 180 +80
‫؞‬ D =660 Kmol/hr

For Bottom Product W:

Now, by adding equations (2), (3), (6), we get value of Total Bottom Product W,
‫؞‬ W = (W*x1 )+ (W*x2 )+ (W*x3 )
‫؞‬ W = 0 + 20 +320
‫؞‬ W = 340 Kmol/hr

{Tip: W can be easily by , W= F – D = 1000 – 660 = 340 Kmol/hr }

Now, for finding individual component concentration in both the products

For Distillate Composition:

D= 660 Kmol/hr

From equation (5)  D*y1 = 400 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 660*y1 = 400
‫؞‬ y1 = 0.606

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From equation (1)  D*y2 = 180 Kmol/hr
‫؞‬ 660*y2 = 180
‫؞‬ y2 = 0.2727

From equation (4)  D*y3 = 80 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 660*y3 = 80
‫؞‬ y3 = 0.1212

For Bottom Product Composition:

W=340 Kmol/hr

From equation (6)  W*x1 = 0 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ y1 = 0

From equation (2)  W*x2 = 20 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 340*x2 = 20
‫؞‬ x2 = 0.0588

From equation (3)  W*x3 = 320 Kmol/hr

‫؞‬ 340*x3 = 320
‫؞‬ x3 = 0.9411

Component Zi yi xi
Heptane 0.4 0.606 0
Octane 0.2 0.2727 0.0588
Decane 0.4 0.1212 0.9411

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Now, From McCabe Thiele Method, Equation of Enriching Section can be written as

L L
(yi)j+1 = V *xj + ( 1 - V )*yi,D …..(7)

And, for Stripping Section,

L' L'
(yi)j+1 = ' * xj - ( 1 - ' )*xi,B …..(8)
V V

Calculation of Enriching Section:

yi,j xi,j-1
L L
(yi)j+1 = V *xj + ( 1 - V )*yi,D jth plate

yi,j+1 xi,j
Where,
L = Liquid flow rate
V = Vapor flow rate
yi,j = i component composition in Distillate D
xj = i component composition in liquid coming from jth plate
(yi)j+1 = i component composition in vapor going out of jth plate

Here. Reflux ratio given , R = 3 and R = L/D

‫؞‬ L= R*D
‫؞‬ L = 3*660
‫؞‬ L = 1980 Kmol/hr
And we know that V= L+D
‫؞‬ V = 1980 + 660
‫؞‬ V = 2640 Kmol/hr

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Now, to find out the liquid phase composition we have to perform try and error method as
follow:
(i) Assume Temperature T for jth plate
(ii) Find the “K value” using DePriester chart for assumed Temperature and
Pressure P=101.3 KPa
(iii) Find xi value using equation K= yi / xi
(iv) Repeat above steps till ∑ x =1

After that put values of xi in equation (7) and find the value of (yi)j+1 , and repeat the iteration
for further plates.
Doing calculations for 1st plate:
Temperature Assumption 1: T = 110 0C

Component K value yi,0 = yi,D X0

Heptane 1.4 0.606 0.4328
Octane 0.7 0.2727 0.3895
Decane 0.12 0.1212 1.01
1.8324

Here, ∑ x >1 , which is not acceptable. Thus this assumed temperature is wrong.

Temperature Assumption 2: T = 1300C

Component K value yi,0 = yi,D X0

Heptane 2.3 0.606 0.2634
Octane 1.2 0.2727 0.2272
Decane 0.25 0.1212 0.4848
0.9755

Here, ∑ x=0.9755 < 1 , which is considerable. Thus this assumed temperature can be taken
into consideration.

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Temperature Assumption 3: T = 1280C

Component K value yi,0 = yi,D X0

Heptane 2.2 0.606 0.2754
Octane 1.1 0.2727 0.2479
Decane 0.22 0.1212 0.5509
1.0742

Here, ∑ x=1.0742 < 1 , which is considerable. Thus this assumed temperature can be taken
into consideration.
By observing values for temperature 128 0C and 130 0C, we can finalize that deviation from 1
is small in the case of 130 0C . Thus we will take operating temperature at 1st plate T= 130 0C
Now, putting values of xi (taken from 130 0C temperature case) in equation (7), we get (yi)j+1

X0 (yi)1
0.2634 0.3490
0.2272 0.2385

0.4848 0.3939

This is how we can find the value of liquid and vapor leaving the desired plate.

Calculation of Stripping Section:

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 Xj-1 yj

L' L'
jth plate (yi)j+1 = * x j - ( 1 - )*xi,B
V' V'

Xj yj+1

Where,
L’= Liquid flow rate
V’ = Vapor flow rate
(yi,)j = i component composition in vapor coming out from jth plate
xj = i component composition in liquid coming from jth plate
(yi)j+1 = i component composition in vapor going out of j+1th plate

Since feed introduced as fully flashed, that’s why all the feed is in vapor form.
‫ ؞‬V’ = V -F
‫ ؞‬V’ = 2640 – 1000
‫ ؞‬V’= 1640 Kmol/hr
And L’= L = 1980 Kmol/hr

Now, to find out the vapor phase composition we have to perform try and error method as
follow:
(i) Assume Temperature T for jth plate
(ii) Find the “K value” using DePriester chart for assumed Temperature and
Pressure P=101.3 KPa
(iii) Find yi value using equation K= yi / xi
(iv) Repeat above steps till ∑ y=1

After that put values of yi in equation (8) and find the value of (xi)j-1 , and repeat the iteration
for rest of the plates.

Temperature Assumption 1: T = 1700C

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Component K value xi,j = xi,B Yj
Heptane 4.8 0 0
Octane 2.6 0.0588 0.1528
Decane 0.9 0.9411 0.8469
0.9998

Here, ∑ y=0.9998 <1 , which is acceptable. Thus this assumed temperature is right.
Now, putting values of yi (taken from 130 0C temperature case) in equation (7), we get (xi)j- 1

Yi,j (xi)j-1
0 0
0.1528 0.101
0.9998 0.99

This is how we can find the composition of liquid and vapor leaving the desired plate.

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