ChE 154 Name: Score:

Quiz No. 4 Section: M12F12 and T12F12 Date: October 5, 2014

1. A mixture of two high boiling point organic acids is to be separated from a small amount of non-volatile
carbonaceous material by continuous steam distillation in a small still operating at 212
o
F and 200 mmHg. The organic
mixture is equimolar with respect to the acids and their vapor pressures are 32 and 14 mmHg at 212
o
F.
Assuming: a. the mixture of acids obeys Raoults Law
b. the mixture of acids is immiscible in water
c. the carbonaceous material has no effect on equilibrium
d. the vapor leaves in equilibrium with the liquid in the still
How many pounds of steam are required per mole of acid recovered?

2. A 537 kg solution containing 50% by weight heptane and 50% by weight octane is batch distilled until only 4.74 lb
moles remain in the pot.
a. Assuming a relative volatility of 0.2, what will be the pot composition after distillation?
b. What is the composition of the first vapor?
c. If the relative volatility were 1.0, what would the pot composition be after distillation?

3. A liquid mixture of A (MVC) and B is to be continuously distilled on a plate column. A and B form ideal solutions
over the entire composition range. The relative volatility is constant and equals 2.0. The design conditions are:
Feed condition Saturated liquid
Feed composition 50 mole % A
Feed rate 100 lb.moles/hr
Distillate composition 90 mole % A
Bottoms composition 10 mole% A

a. Determine analytically the minimum number of theoretical plates.
b. Determine analytically the minimum reflux ratio
c. If the column is to be operated of a reflux ratio of 1.2 times the minimum, what is the number of plates
required?