Title: Benzene / Toluene System: Rectification Column Analysis
A rectification column is fed 100 kmol/hr of a mixture that is 50 mole % benzene - 50 mole % toluene at 101.325 kPa (abs) pressure. The distillate is to contain 94 mole % benzene and the bottoms 90 mole % toluene. The reflux ratio is 3.0:1.0. Assuming that the feed mixture is liquid at its boiling point (saturated liquid), the following calculations can be made:
a) Calculate the flow rates (mol/hr) of the distillate and bottoms.
b) Determine the theoretical number of trays and the feed tray number for the specified operation.
c) Determine the minimum reflux ratio, RMIN, and the minimum number of theoretical trays at total reflux. Assuming that the feed mixture is saturated vapor, the following calculations can be made:
d) Determine the theoretical number of trays and the feed tray number for the specified operation.
e) Determine the minimum reflux ratio, RMIN, and the minimum number of theoretical trays at total reflux.
Vapor Pressure and Temperature Data:
Temperature
Benzene
Toluene
T (F)
T (K)
T (C)
kPa
kPa
176.3
353.3
80.2
101.475
39.026
182.4
356.7
83.5
112.5
43.808
188.5
360.1
86.9
124.5
49.050
194.6
363.5
90.3
137.4
54.783
200.7
366.9
93.7
151.3
61.041
206.8
370.2
97.1
166.3
67.856
212.9
373.6
100.5
182.4
75.262
219.0
377.0
103.9
199.7
83.297
225.1
380.4
107.3
218.2
91.995
231.2
383.8
110.7
238.1
101.394