Homework 6

Binary VLE


1. The system methylethylketone (MEK) (1) - toluene (2) is often used in the laboratory to study
distillation columns, and the following x-y-T data are supplied:

T/
o
C 110.2 109.88 109.25 107.2 104.2 102.28 99.55 97.1 94.3
x
1
0.0045 0.0085 0.0175 0.0405 0.0850 0.1190 0.1800 0.2359 0.3127
y
1
0.0140 0.0290 0.0555 0.1281 0.2350 0.3043 0.3950 0.4709 0.5521

T//
o
C 91.85 89.9 86.75 85.8 84.4 82.65 80.5 79.85 79.5
x
1
0.3982 0.4682 0.5858 0.6420 0.7012 0.8015 0.9350 0.9774 0.9939
y
1
0.6280 0.6854 0.7708 0.8027 0.8396 0.8955 0.9629 0.9878 0.9954

Normal Boiling Points are (1) 79.45

C and (2) 110.6

C, and the Antoine equations are, with units of

mmHg and

C:

log
10
p
1
*
= 6.97421 - 1209.600/(T + 216.000)
log
10
p
2
*
= 6.95464 - 1344.800/(T + 219.482)

a) Determine the best fit values of the van Laar constants

b) Use the van Laar constants from (a) to calculate the bubble point and equilibrium vapour
composition corresponding to x
1
= 0.3127 and compare with the values shaded in the table
above.


2. a) A liquid stream containing 20% molar ethanol in water is to be heated to 120

C without
boiling. Using the van Laar constants quoted by Perry (Table 13-2) estimate the minimum
pressure needed.

b) The pressure is reduced to 3 atm, and enough heat supplied to maintain the temperature at
120

C. What fraction of the liquid will evaporate, and what will be the liquid and vapour
compositions?