Question

A distillation column with a total condenser is separating acetone from ethanol. A distillate concentration of xD = 0.90 mole fraction acetone is desired. Since CMO is valid, L/V = constant. If L/V is equal to 0.8. The distillation column has a partial reboiler that acts as an equilibrium contact. If the bottoms composition is x_B = 0.13 mole fraction acetone and the boilup ratio V/B= 1.0, find the vapor composition leaving the second stage above the partial reboiler.

a) Get the Equilibrium data for acetone and ethanol at 1 atm from any suitable reference.

b) Find the composition of the liquid leaving the fifth stage below the total condenser.

c) The distillation column in parts a and b is separating acetone from ethanol and has x_D= 0.9, x_B= 0.13, L/V= 0.8, and V/B= 1.0. If the feed composition is z = 0.3 (all concentrations are mole fraction of more volatile component), find the optimum feed plate location, total number of stages, and required q value of the feed.

d) How many stages are required at total reflux?

e) What is (L /V)min? What is (L /D)min?

Answer 1