Internal Column Balances*

External column balances allow the calculation of only a few of the process variables (B, D, QC,QR) Column design, however, requires knowledge of additional parameters, e.g., number of stages, optimum feed location (stage), column diameter, etc. Therefore, it becomes necessary to write down and solve the internal column balances as well For convenience, we will separate the column into three sections: A. The enriching section, which includes the column stages above the feed and the condenser. B. The stripping section, which includes the column stages below the feed and the reboiler. C. The feed stage We will then write the internal balances around each stage for all three sections * We restrict our discussion to binary mixtures

Enriching Section: Stage 1

(By convention, stage 1 is the topmost stage)

Fig. 1: Balance envelope for stage 1 and condenser

Definitions V1, L1: vapour and liquid streams leaving stage 1 (They are considered to be at thermo. equilibrium) V2 : vapour stream rising from stage 2 Lo : reflux stream (entering stage 1) D: distillate Qc: Heat removed in the condenser

Enriching Section: Stage 1

Degrees of freedom analysis Known design variables: (These will be given in the design problem, or will be calculated from the external balances) Distillate flow rate (D) Reflux ratio (Lo/D); hence, V1 is also known Mole fraction: xD (=y1=xLo; why?) Amount of heat removed in the condenser (Qc) Also, hD, HV1, hLo (not actual design variables!!) Unknown variables: L1, V2 Mole fractions: y2, x1 (Also unknown: H2, h1) Total: 6 => We need 6 independent equations

Enriching Section: Stage 1

Mass and energy balances Mass balances: Overall:
V2 = L1 + D

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Most volatile component: V2 y 2 = L1x1 + Dx D Energy balance:

V2 H 2 + QC = L1h1 + Dh D

Equilibrium relationship:

x1=x1(y1, P)

Finally, the molar enthalpies are calculated from:

h1 = x i,1CPL,i (T1 Tref )
i =1 C

(5) (6)

H 2 = yi, 2[CPV ,i (T2 Tref ) + i ]

i =1

Where, is the latent heat of vaporisation for component i at Tref .

Enriching Section: Stage j

Fig. 2: Balance envelope for stage j

For the general case of stage j the same procedure must be followed (also notice the symmetry!).

Enriching Section: Stage j

Approach #1: Use of h vs. x,y data Mass balances: Overall:
Vj+1 = L j + D

(1)

Most volatile component: Vj+1y j+1 = L jx j + Dx D (2) Energy balance:

Vj+1H j+1 + QC = L jh j + Dh D (3)

Equilibrium relationship:

xj=xj(yj, P)

(4)

The enthalpies are calculated from:

h j = h j ( x j , P)

(5) (6)

H j+1 = H j+1 ( y j+1, P)

Use of Enthalpy-composition data

Example: Ethanol-water mixture

H=H(y,P) h=h(x,P)
Enthalpy, Kcal/kg

Concentration of Alcohol, weight fraction

Enthalpy-composition diagram for ethanol-water Graphical estimation of enthalpies and temperature

Enriching Section: Stage j

Alternative way: Tj+1 as a direct unknown Mass balances: Overall:
Vj+1 = L j + D

(1)

Most volatile component: Vj+1y j+1 = L jx j + Dx D (2) Energy balance:

Vj+1H j+1 + QC = L jh j + Dh D (3)

Equilibrium relationship:

xj=xj(yj, P)

(4)

Tj+1= Tj+1(yj+1, P) (4) Finally, the enthalpies are calculated from:

h j = x i, jC PL,i (Tj Tref )
i =1 C

(5) (6)

H j+1 = yi, j+1[CPV,i (Tj+1 Tref ) + i ]

i =1

Where, i is the latent heat of vaporisation of component i at Tref

Forms of Tj+1 vs. yj+1 data

Graphical representation

x, y Analytical equations of the type: Tj+1=Tj+1(yj+1, P) (e.g., polynomial fit to graphical data) Indirect relations: Note that V j+1 is a saturated vapour =>Tj+1 =Tj+1,dp For a binary mixture we can write:
x i, j+1 = 1
2 2

yi, j+1

i =1

i =1 K i , j+1 (Tj+1 , P )

=1

y1, j+1 K1, j+1

(1 y1, j+1 ) K 2, j+1

=1

dp: dew-point of mixture