CELA201 - 2023

DISTILLATION SUMMARY REPORT

Student name: Student Number

Teliyah Durgiah 22107247

Introduction
Distillation is a widely used separation technique in various industries for purifying liquids or separating liquid
mixtures based on their boiling points. It is a physical process that relies on the differences in volatility and vapour
pressure of the components in the mixture.

Distillation is used in the many industries, such as the petrochemical industry where distillation is extensively used in
refining crude oil into various fractions such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and lubricating oils. The chemical industry,
where it is employed for separating and purifying chemical compounds, solvents, and intermediates. The
pharmaceutical industry where distillation is utilized for purifying active pharmaceutical ingredients, producing high-
purity solvents, and separating drug formulations. The food and beverages industry where distillation is employed in
the production of alcoholic beverages. Distillation is also utilized in wastewater treatment to remove contaminants
and recover valuable resources.
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Sample calculations and trends.......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion and recommendations................................................................................................................................11
References....................................................................................................................................................................12
Sample calculations and trends
Composition of methanol and tray efficiency.

Table 1: raw data

Reflux 2 4
Temperatures (℃)
Column Reflux T1 54.5 54.3
Tray 1 T2 54.6 54.6
Tray 6 T3 55.7 54.9
Tray 11 T4 60.6 58.9
Reboiler T5 68.4 68.6
Distillate (after cooler) T6 24.8 24.8
Bottoms (after cooler) T7 65.9 65.3
Feed (After pre-heater) T8 25.2 25.3
Feed (Before pre-heater) T9 26.2 26.2
Condenser Cooling water in T10 24.4 24.3
Condenser Cooling water out T11 29.3 29.3
Heat Duties
Reboiler 1.09 1.11
Feed Pre-heater -0.002 -0.002
Refractive Index
Feed 1.36 1.36
Bottoms (after cooler) 1.375 1.379
distillate 1.34 1.335

Table 2: equilibrium data used to plot equilibrium line and 45-degree line.

Methanol Equilibrium Data

X 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Y 0 0.2 0.36 0.49 0.59 0.68 0.75 0.82 0.88 0.94 1

X-Y line 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Graph 1: refractive index vs methanol mass %.

Using the above graph and the refractive indices obtained from the lab (as can be seen in table 1), the mass % of
methanol can be determined.

For the feed, XF:

Refractive index = 1.36 for reflux 2 and 4.

Therefore, the mass fraction of methanol in the feed = 0.4 0r 40%. For both refluxes.

For the bottoms, XB:

Refractive index = 1.375 for reflux of 2 and 1.379 for reflux of 4.

Therefore, the mass fraction of methanol in the bottoms is:

reflux 2 = 0.08 0r 8%

reflux 4 = 0

for the distillate, XD:

refractive index = 1.34 for a reflux of 2 and 1.335 for a reflux of 4.

Therefore, the mass fraction of methanol in the distillate is:

Reflux 2 = 0.81 or 81%

Reflux 4 = 0.93 or 93%

The q-line can be found using the following formula:

q XD
y= X N− (eq1)
q +1 q−1
Where:

q is the line drawn from the point of intersection of the 45-degree line and the straight line from the point of XF.

q in this case is equal to 0 since the feed enters at its boiling point.

Therefore, q would be a straight line as can be seen in graph 2 and 3 below.

The enriching line can be calculated using:

R XD
y= XN+ (eq2)
R+1 R+1
Where:

R – the reflux ratio

The enriching line is drawn from the point where XD touches the 45-degree line. This can be seen in the graphs
below.

The co-ordinates can be calculated as follows:

Since only the y-incept is needed:

Reflux 2:

X D 0.81
= =0.27 (eq3)
R +1 2+1
Reflux 4:

X D 0.93
= =0.186
R +1 4+ 1
To determine the tray efficiencies, the above calculations are used to find the co-ordinates needed, as well as the
equilibrium data given, is needed to construct the following graphs.

1
Methanol Equilibrium Data for reflux of 2
0.9
0.8 1
2
0.7
3
0.6 4
y mole fraction

0.5 5
0.4
6

0.3 7
0.2 8
0.1
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
x mole fraction

Graph 2: equilibrium data for methanol for a reflux of 2.

The above graph is used to determine the number of trays and therefore, the tray efficiency.

As can be seen on the graph, XD shown by the dark blue vertical line at x = 0.81.

XF, the grey vertical line at x = 0.4

XB, the yellow vertical line at X = 0.08

Using the calculations above, the q is drawn. The enriching line is also constructed as explained above and the
stripping line is constructed by drawing a line from the point of intersection of the enriching line and the q-line, to XB.

The number of stages is determined by drawing a horizontal line from the point where XD touches the 45-degree line
to the equilibrium line and then draw a horizontal line back down to the 45-degree line. Then continue in this
fashion until XB is reached. The number of stages are then counted as shown on the graph.

The number of stages for this reflux ratio is determined to be around 8.1 stages/trays which would be rounded up to
9 trays.

The theoretical trays would be 9-1 = 8 trays. One tray is subtracted to account for the reboiler.

The tray efficiency (E0), reflux 2 is then calculated as follows:

(eq4)
Theoretical Trays
E0 = ×100
Actual Trays
8
E0 = ×100
15
 E0 =¿53.33%

For reflux 4, the same procedure is followed:

Methanol Equilibrium Data for reflux of 4

1 1
2
3
0.9 4
0.8 5
6
0.7
7
0.6
y mole fraction

8
0.5

0.4 9

0.3
10
0.2 11
12
0.1
13
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
x mole fraction

Graph 3: equilibrium data for methanol at a reflux of 4.

Since, according the refractive index obtained, the fraction of methanol in the bottoms is 0, it hard to determine the
number of stages/trays, but it is approximately 13.

Therefore, the tray efficiency for reflux 4 is then calculated as follows:

Theoretical Trays
E0 = ×100
Actual Trays
13
E0 = ×100
15
E0 =¿86.67%

An increase in tray efficiency can be seen from reflux 2 compared to reflux 4. This is expected as the more times the

mixture is returned to the column/process, the purer the product, therefore, the more efficient the process. “Reflux
increases the efficiency of a distillation column by re-condensing and re-circulating the vapour produced back into
the column, leading to an increase in the number of theoretical trays and a more effective separation of
components.” (Kadam 2023)

It can also be noted that in reflux 4, the composition of methanol in the bottoms is 0, which means that pure
isopropanol is produced at the bottoms which is what is desired. As well as, in reflux 4, there is a higher percentage
of methanol (93%) in the distillate compared to reflux 2 (81%).
Composition of methanol

Feed (XF) 0.4 0.4 Table 3: calculated compositions of methanol and

co-ordinates needed for graph.
x 0.4 0.4

y 0 0
line
x 0.4 0.4

y 0.4 0.4

Bottoms (after cooler) (XB) 0.08 0

x 0.08 0

y 0 0
line
x 0.08 0

y 0.08 0

Distillates (XD) 0.81 0.93

x 0.81 0.93

y 0 0
line
x 0.81 0.93

y 0.81 0.93

q-line Reflux 2 Reflux 4

x 0.4 0.4

y 0.4 0.4

x 0.4 0.4

y 0.6 0.6

Enriching line Reflux 2 Reflux 4

x 0.81 0.93

y 0.81 0.93

x 0 0

y 0.27 0.186
Temperature profile.

Temperature profile for reflux 2

70
68
66 Reboiler
64 Tray 11
Temperature (℃)

62
60
Column Reflux Tray 6
58
56
54
52 Tray 1
50
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Tray number

Graph 4: temperature profile for reflux 2.

The temperature profile is constructed by plotting the temperatures (obtained from the lab) of the column reflux,
tray 1,6 and 11, and the reboiler.

It can be seen that the temperature increases as we go down the column, which is expected. Since the “heavier”
component has a higher boiling point than the “lighter” component. According to the principle of how distillation
works, the lighter components will move to the top of the column (column reflux), which will have the lowest
temperature.

Temperature profile for reflux 4

70
68
66 Reboiler
64
Temperature (℃)

62 Tray 11
60
58 Tray 1 Tray 6
56
54
52 Column Reflux
50
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Tray number

Graph 5: temperature profile for reflux 4.

For reflux 4, the same can be observed as stated above.

The temperature differences in reflux 4 are slightly lower than in reflux 2. Theres not much of a difference. The
column reflux temperature for reflux 2 is 54.5 and 54.3 for reflux 4. The temperatures for tray 1,6 and 11, as well as
the reboiler for both refluxes can be seen in table 1.

Conclusion and recommendations

For this practical, we were only to determine the effect that reflux has on distillation, however, there are many
factors that affect distillation such as pressure, temperature and the flowrates of the components. The flowrates
should be an area of investigation as well. Since the flowrate is a key factor in how long the two components are in
contact with each other which impacts how efficient the distillation column is.

Distillation is a versatile separation technique widely used in various industries. It relies on the differences in boiling
points of liquid components to achieve separation. Understanding the principles, equipment, and factors affecting
distillation efficiency is crucial for optimizing the process design and improving the performance of distillation
processes in terms of purity, yield, and efficiency.
References
1. Kadam, B. 2023. 1.2 Reflux In Distillation It’s Importance And Calculation. Available from: 1.2 Reflux In
Distillation It's Importance And Calculation (pharmaguides.in) [Accessed 9 June 2023].
Figure 1: piping and instrumentation diagram of the distillation column.