some cases, we can use a sharp split approximation procedure to avoid the trial and error solution associated with flash calculation. The flash equation can be written as,
then Vyi = Fzi (6) And if Ki << 1 in eq 5 we see that then Lxi = Fzi
(7)
Let fi and fj be the component flows of light and
heavy materials respectively in (mol/hr) Thus, as a first estimation of the vapor and liquid flow rates, we can write V = fi
for all component where K i > 10
L = fj
for all component where K j < 0.1
---(8) ---(9)
These expression are equivalent to a perfect split,
providing there are no component with Ki value between 0.1 and 10 The perfect spilt expressions ignore the vapor liquid equilibrium. However, we can superimpose these equilibrium relationships on our expressions for the flows. Thus, the liquid component in equilibrium with a vapor component having a mole fraction yi = fi /V = fi / fi (10) is xi = yi / Ki = fi / Ki fi
(11)
The liquid flow of this component is then
li = Lxi = fi fj / Ki fi (12) Now we can go back and adjust vapor flow for this loss i = fi - li = fi ( 1 - fj / Ki fi ) (13) The corresponding expressions for components that are predominantly in the liquid phase are i = Kj fjfi / fj (14) and lj = fj ( 1 - Kj fi / fj ) (15)
The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering Volume 53 Issue 5 1975 [Doi 10.1002_cjce.5450530521] Edward J. Farkas; Alexander Himsley -- Some Fundamental Aspects of the Behaviour of Ion Exchange Equipment