McCabe-Thiele method distillation

The McCabe-Thiele Method is restricted in its application because it only applies to binary systems and involves the simplifying assumption of constant molar overflow. However, it is an important method to understand as it gives important conceptual insights into distillation that cannot be obtained in any other way. 

A fractionating column is required to distill a liquid containing 25 per cent benzene and 75 per cent toluene by mass, to give a product of 90 per cent benzene. A reflux ratio of 3.5 is to be used, and the feed will enter at its boiling point. If the plates used are 100 per cent efficient, calculate by the Lewis-Sorel method the composition of liquid on the third plate, and estimate the number of plates required using the McCabe-Thiele method. 

Step by Step the McCabe-Thiele Method Introduction to the McCabe-Thiele method for countercurrent multistage distillation, from your About.com Guide, Dr. Bernhard Spang. http //Chemeneineer. about comllibrarvlweeklylaa 11 1599.h. 

The feed, at a flow rate of 100 kmol/h, is sent as saturated vapor to the distillation column. The column is equipped with a partial condenser with a vapor product, and a reboiler. For a solvent rate of 500 kmol/h, it is required to determine the required number of equilibrium stages and the optimum feed location for a reflux ratio of 1.5 times the minimum. The McCabe-Thiele method may be used on a solvent-free basis. 

EXAMPLE 17.2 BATCH DISTILLATION OF A BINARY SYSTEM BASED ON THE MCCABE-THIELE METHOD... 

The separation of a binary mixture by distillation may be represented in two-dimensional space while n-dimensional space is required to represent the separation of a multicomponent mixture (i > 2). The graphical method proposed by McCabe and Thiele9 for the solution of problems involving binary mixtures is presented in a subsequent section. The McCabe-Thiele method makes use of an equilibrium curve which may be obtained from the boiling-point diagram."... 

G. T. Atkins and C. M. Boyer Application of the McCabe-Thiele Method to Extractive Distillation Calculations. Chem. Eng. Prog., 45 553 (1949). 

Equimolar counterdiffusion can be assumed in this case (as will be shown in a later chapter, this is the basis of the McCabe-Thiele method of analysis of distillation columns). Methanol diffuses from the interface towards the bulk of the gas phase therefore, yM = 0.707 and yA1 = 0.656. Since they are not limited to dilute solutions,... 

An alternative approximate solution to this problem can be obtained through the use of k -type coefficients. As mentioned in Example 2.3, the McCabe-Thiele method of analysis of distillation columns assumes equimolar counterdiffusion, which would justify the use of k-type coefficients regardless of the concentration levels. This would be exactly so only if the molar latent heats of vaporization of both components were equal. Although in this case there is a significant difference between the two heats of vaporization, we will show that the approximate solution is fairly close to the rigorous solution obtained above. It is easily shown that in this case, assuming steady-state equimolar counterdiffusion,... 

Calculate, by modified McCabe-Thiele methods, residue composition and distillation time for binary batch rectification with constant reflux for a given number of ideal stages, boil-up rate, and specified average distillate composition. 

McCabe-Thiele Method - This MathCAD document creates a McCabe-Thiele Diagram for a binary distillation. Data are from Example 6-5. 

Figure 16.2 McCabe-Thiele method for mixtures showing equilibrium curves with tangent pinch. Left Position of tangent pinch and critical distillate composition. Right Minimum reflux and feed composition A - feed pinch control, B - tangent pinch control...

McCabe-Thiele diagrams for adsorption, 320 for binary distillation, 326, 329, 330, 332, 334 for countercurrent multistage separator, 309 for extraction, 317 for ion exchange, 322 for rectifying column, 314 McCabe-Thiele method for distillation, 310-315, 322-340... 

Equilibrium Flash Vaporization and Partial Condensation Graphical Multistage Calculations by the McCabe-Thiele Method Batch Distillation... 

Total reflux corresponds to a situation where there is no feed, distillate, or bottoms and where the minimum number of stages is required to achieve a desired separation. It will be recalled that in the McCabe-Thiele method this situation corresponded to having the operating line coincide with the y = x line. 

We now have all the material available for the graphical calculation of distillation conditions by the McCabe-Thiele method. This is one of the most used and simplest methods for the calculation of batch and continuous distillations of binary mixtures. It involves the simplifying assumptions that the molar heats of evaporation of the components and their mixtures are identical, and there are no heat losses from the column the consequence ist that the vapour and liquid flow rates, in moles per unit time, are constant throughout any section of the column, provided there is no addition or withdrawal of material. 

Calculation of separating stages by the McCabe-Thiele method in continuous distillation... 

A modified McCabe-Thiele method employed in extractive distillation has been described by Nagel and Sinn [78]. Kortiim and Faltusz [79] have dealt with a variety of problems involved in selective separating processes ranging from the design of an automatic apparatus of special steel for continuous operation to the calculation of the minimum reflux ratio and the required amount of additive. 

For the separation of the liquid feed M (composition x ) into two streams of composition Xg (product, distillate) and Xf, (bottom product), the required number of theoretical plates can be determined graphically with the aid of the McCabe-Thiele method, which was used in the past because no computers were available to solve the extensive systems of equations for mass balances and equilibrium relationships. This method is no longer of practical importance, but it is an excellent didactic aid for understanding the basic principles of rectification. 

Short-cut methods and graphical procedures such as the McCabe-Thiele method have declined in importance, since the combination of computer programs with material databanks allows rapid treatment of distillation processes. 

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