Quirona, Jeric A.

ChE 152

2014-54354 April 2, 2017

 Midterm Reflection Paper

ChE 152, a course entitled separation processes, focuses on the unified treatment of
separation processes with primary emphasis on the concept of equilibrium stage unit,
formulation, numerical and graphical solution technique, and some application of these
principles to separation processes particularly distillation, liquid extraction and leaching.

In the first week, the importance of separation processes was given emphasis through
a short discussion on the key operations and auxiliary operations. Separation process was
discussed to have a lot of applications in industrial chemical processes. Same as struggles in
life relationships, separation process has separating agents that drive separation since it is a
non-spontaneous process. This could either be energy separating agents (ESA) or mass
separating agents (MSA). Techniques of separation could be through phase creation, addition,
barrier, solid agent, or by presence of external field or gradient. These techniques is govern
through either the use of ESA, MSA or both. Separation is effective since it is accomplished
by forcing the different chemical species in the feed into different spatial locations. Then their
effectiveness can be measured through rate of and extent of separation. The broad categories
of separation process are equilibrium-governed and rate-governed modes. Then the
considered parameters to define the efficiency of separation is by component recoveries and
product purities.

In the next meeting, phase relations were the subject of discussion. Mass transfer
operations was taught to be a process wherein two phases of different compositions are
brought into contact to initiate transfer of components from one phase to the other. It was said
that once under appropriate conditions, repeated contacting and separation can almost lead to
an almost complete separation of components. Same with normal situations, if continuously
pursued, common goals are achievable. In vapor-liquid equilibria, I was quite confused on
how varying volatilities become an advantage to separate substance. I realize that, condensing
them at different temperature allow it to be separated. The discussion of phase rule also left
me dumbfounded as to what the degrees of freedom stand for. But I realized it was for the
number of intensive variable i.e. temperature, pressure, etc. that can still be varied
independently regardless of set parameters. The following equation shows Gibbs phase rule
formula:

F=CP+2

One particular discussion that took me hard time to cope with is when the general
VLE Equation was derived through starting from Gibbs free energy to the relationship of
and f. But sooner I was able to realize it through the concepts Ive studied in the physical
chemistry class. The derivation of Raoults Law was also derived in class, this time I was able
to cope with the discussion as this was a basic knowledge in general chemistry.

Employing Antoines equation shown below, Raoults law can be used to predict VLE
for an ideal solution in equilibrium with an ideal gas mixture. A solution however can be
considered ideal if it occurs to have similar structure and physical properties.
 B
log VP = A - C +T

Henrys law was also discussed as the vapor pressure of solute in a very dilute
solution. The k-value ratio was a relatively convenient method in engineering calculation for
phase equilibrium. It was discussed that this values are somehow, experimentally determined.
The relative volatility is an index essential to determine the relative ease or difficulty of
separation. Same as chances in life getting volatilize, it the relative volatility is very high
(10000) then, the separation is almost perfect in a single stage. But it takes for it to be equal
to 1.1 to require a hundred stages.

The bubble point and dew point calculations was quite hard at first since it involves
quite many iterative calculations before achieving the answer. But soon I was able to grasp
both the calculations and its concept behind. Before I used to believe that substances have a
single temperature range of bubble and dew point, but the case is different when its a
solution. It usually ranges in temperature at a specific concentration.

Azeotropic systems are mixture with equilibrium vapor with the same composition as
the liquid. At this point, the degrees of freedom is equal to 1. At this point, the solution is
hard to be separated by ordinary distillation. This must be the reason why most industries
need to know when the solution is going to have its azeotrope in order to be efficient. Also,
the bubble point and dew point are equal at this point thus the mixture will vaporize at a
single temperature same with its pure form of liquid.

Our next discussion focuses on the equilibrium curve. This graph is essential in
determining concentration of vapor at specified mole fraction in liquid solution. Sooner,
enthalpy was introduced along in this graph. This is somehow very important to be able to
show how addition of heat, temperature, and concentrations, can all be related and easily
determined. A tie line to be constructed was quite really hard since it must be relatively
accurate in order to close, same with life, if you get the wrong line, your life might never be
close in peace.

In liquid-liquid equilibrium, both solvent and feed was the considered input and
extract and raffinate as output of operation. Three component was considered with one
component to transfer another liquid phase that is relatively soluble in its first solution.
Similar to which you meet another person who will be better than your past. Same with
enthalpy-composition diagram, your tie-line must close in order to find the right
concentrations.

In gas-solid equilibrium, adsorption was discussed as the most common form of it.
However only physical adsorption lends itself to continuous staged operation since the
interaction between adsorbate and adsorbent are quite irreversible. Same as when two persons
seems match each other already, they could be hardly separated.
 In solid-liquid equilibrium, two output is seemed from the streams of solid and liquid
feeds, the overflow and underflow. From the triangle, the right-angle vertex represents the
pure inert solids while the hypotenuse serves as the clear solutions.

All this various phases equilibrium calculation play quite an important role in various
life processes and industrial applications. Without this concepts, our lives could be quite
drastically uneasy since we could barely separate what we need from those we dont. In terms
of simple daily tasks to complex ones, we are indebted to the concept of separation because
of its applications and necessity.

The next topic discussed afterwards was the single stage equilibrium calculations. In
this topic, two streams of input enter and two streams leave the stage as shown in the figure
below.
V1 V2

L0 Equilibrium Stage
L1

It is essential to know this basic concept before you can proceed in multistage systems, since
the methods being used are developed from it. Both graphical and theoretical calculations
method was considered throughout the discussion. Systems of equation was derived from the
total mass balance and component mass balance to get the solution concentration or amount
of liquid or vapor present. Now, in considering the graphical method, there were two methods
of calculation: the addition rule and subtraction rule. Addition rule involves the use if inverse
lever arm rule in order to calculate for the amount of system by employing sigma, . I find
this method much easier than the latter since it is basically a principle of existence of sigma
as the resulting mixture. The latter method is known as subtraction method which employs,
. Here, the difference between the liquid and vapor systems is considered the . Similarly,
this method also follows the inverse lever arm rule. The solvent free-basis of calculation was
discussed quite briefly as convenient for calculations, but could be perhaps confusing at first
contact.

The totality of what Ive learnt in the first 2 chapters of ChE 152 is very important as
a working skill of being a chemical engineer. It all plays a major role in my understanding of
separation between different phases at various parameters i.e. concentration, temperature,
pressure, enthalpy, etc. Sooner or later, this concept would be very helpful in further or
advance studies related to chemical engineering. Without this concept and skill, I will not be
able to fully realize my career as chemical engineer.