SIMULTANEOUS HEAT AND

MASS TRANSFER
(SHMT)
7th Semester,
B.Sc. Chemical Engineering
Session 2008
Delivered by:
Mr. Usman Ali
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore

MCD Calculation Procedure

The normal procedure for a typical problem is to solve the MESH
(Material balance, Equilibrium, Summation and Heat) balance
equations stage-by-stage, from the top and bottom of the column
toward the feed point.
For such a calculation to be exact, the compositions obtained from
both the bottom-up and top-down calculations must mesh at the
feed point and mesh the feed composition.
The calculated compositions will depend on the compositions
assumed for the top and bottom products at the commencement of
the calculations.
Though it is possible to match the key components, the other
components will not match unless the designer was particularly
fortunate in choosing the trial top and bottom compositions.

Calculation procedure
For a completely rigorous solution the compositions must be
adjusted and the calculations repeated until a satisfactory match
at the feed point is obtained by iterative trial-and-error
calculations.
Clearly, the greater the number of components, the more difficult
the problem.
For other than ideal mixtures, the calculations will be further
complicated by the fact that the component volatilities will be
functions of the unknown stage compositions.
If more than a few stages are
calculations are complex and tedious.

required,

stage-by-stage

Short-cut" methods
Before the advent of the modern digital computer, various "shortcut" methods were developed to simplify the task of designing
multicomponent columns.

Though computer programs will normally be available for the

rigorous solution of the MESH equations, short-cut methods are
still useful in the preliminary design work, and as an aid in defining
problems for computer solution.
Intelligent use of the short-cut methods can reduce the computer
time and costs.

Short-cut" methods
The short-cut methods available can be divided into two classes:
1. Simplifications of the rigorous stage-by-stage procedures to
enable the calculations to be done using hand calculators, or
graphically.
Typical examples of this approach are the methods given by
Hengstebeck , and the Smith-Brinkley method.
2. Empirical methods, which are based on the performance of
operating columns, or the results of rigorous designs.
Typical examples of these methods are Gilliland's correlation,
and the Erbar-Maddox correlation.

Number and sequencing of columns

In multicomponent distillations it is not possible to obtain more than one
pure component, one sharp separation, in a single column.
If a multicomponent feed is to be split into two or more virtually pure
products, several columns will be needed.
Impure products can be taken off as side streams; and the removal of a
side stream from a stage where a minor component is concentrated will
reduce the concentration of that component in the main product.
For separation of N components, with one essentially pure component taken
overhead, or from the bottom of each column, (N 1) columns will be
needed to obtain complete separation of all components.
For example, to separate a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylene two
columns are needed , Benzene is taken overhead from the first column
and the bottom product, essentially free of benzene, is fed to the second
column. This column separates the toluene and xylene

Costs considerations
The order in which the components are separated will determine
the capital and operating costs.
Where there are several components the number of possible
sequences can be very large; for example, with five components the
number is 14, whereas with ten components it is near 5000.
When designing systems that require the separation of several
components, efficient procedures are needed to determine the
optimum sequence of separation.

Heuristic rules for optimum sequencing

Remove the components one at a time.
Remove any components that
excess early in the sequence.

are

present

in

large

With difficult separations, involving close boiling

components, postpone the most difficult separation to
late in the sequence.
Difficult separations will require many stages, so to
reduce cost, the column diameter should be made a
small as possible. As the column diameter is dependent
on flow-rate, the further down the sequence the smaller
will be the amount of material that the column has to
handle.

Tall and vacuum columns

Where a large number of stages is required, it may be
necessary to split a column into two or more separate
columns to reduce the height of the column, even
though the required separation could, theoretically,
have been obtained in a single column.
This may also be done in vacuum distillations, to reduce
the column pressure drop and limit the bottom
temperatures.

Short-cuts Methods

Pseudo-binary Systems
If the presence of the other components does not significantly
affect the volatility of the key components, the keys can be
treated as a pseudo-binary pair.
The number of stages can then be calculated using a McCabeThiele diagram, or the other methods developed for binary
systems.
This simplification can often be made when the amount of the nonkey components is small, or where the components form near-ideal
mixtures.
Where the concentration of the non-keys is small, say less than
10%, they can be lumped in with the key components.
For higher concentrations the method proposed by Hengstebeck
(1946) can be used to reduce the system to an equivalent binary
system.

Hengstebeck's Method
For any component i the Lewis-Sorel material balance
equations and equilibrium relationship can be written in
terms of the individual component molar flow rates; in
place of the component composition:
Rectifying section

Stripping section

Hengstebeck's Method
To reduce a multicomponent system to an equivalent
binary it is necessary to estimate the flow-rate of the
key components throughout the column.
Hengstebeck considers that in a typical distillation the
flow-rates of each of the light non-key components
approaches a constant, limiting, rate in the rectifying
section; and the flows of each of the heavy non-key
components approach limiting flow-rates in the stripping
section.

Hengstebeck's Method
Putting the flow-rates of the non-keys equal to these
limiting rates in each section enables the combined
flows of the key components to be estimated.
lighter
species

Rectifying section

Stripping section

heavier species

Hengstebeck's Method
The method used to estimate the limiting flow-rates is
that proposed by Jenny. The equations are:
Rectifying section

Stripping section

di and bi = corresponding top and bottom flow rate of

component i.

Hengstebeck's Method
Estimates of the flows of the combined keys enable operating lines to be
drawn for the equivalent binary system.
The equilibrium line is drawn by assuming a constant relative volatility for
the light key:

where y and x refer to the vapor and liquid concentrations of the light key.

Erbar-Maddoxe Correlation

Feed-point Location
A limitation of the Erbar-Maddox, and similar empirical methods, is
that they do not give the feed-point location.
An estimate can be made by using the Fenske equation to calculate
the number of stages in the rectifying and stripping sections
separately, but this requires an estimate of the feed-point
temperature.
An alternative approach is to use the empirical equation given by
Kirkbride :

Distribution of non-key components

(graphical method)
The graphical procedure proposed by Hengstebeck , which is
based on the Fenske equation, is a convenient method for
estimating the distribution of components between the top and
bottom products.
Hengstebeck and Gedde have shown that the Fenske
equation can be written in the form:

Specifying the split of the key components determines the

constants A and C in the equation.

The distribution of the other components can be readily

determined by plotting the distribution of the keys against their
relative volatility on log-log paper, and drawing a straight line
through these two points.

Summary of Empirical Methods

Summary of Empirical Methods

Summary of Empirical Methods

Summary of Empirical Methods

Exact Stage By Stage Calculation Methods

Available c methods
It is convenient to consider the methods available
under the following four headings:
1. Lewis-Matheson method.
2. Thiele-Geddes method.
3. Relaxation methods.
4. Linear algebra methods.

Relaxation methods
With the exception of this method, all the methods described solve
the stage equations for the steady-state design conditions.
In an operating column other conditions will exist at start-up, and
the column will approach the "design" steady-state conditions after
a period of time.
The stage material balance equations can be written in a finite
difference form, and procedures for the solution of these
equations will model the unsteady-state behaviour of the column.

Relaxation methods are not competitive with the "steady-state"

methods in the use of computer time, because of slow convergence.
However, because they model the actual operation of the column,
convergence should be achieved for all practical problems.
The method has the potential of development for the study of the
transient behaviour of column designs, and for the analysis and
design of batch distillation columns.

Linear Algebra Methods

The Lewis-Matheson and Thiele-Geddes methods use a stage-bystage procedure to solve the equations relating the component
compositions to the column temperature and flow profiles.
However, the development of high-speed digital computers with
large memories makes possible the simultaneous solution of the
complete set of MESH equations that describe the stage
compositions throughout the column.
If the equilibrium relationships and flow-rates are known (or
assumed) the set of material balance equations for each component
is linear in the component compositions.
Whit the aim of a numerical method these equations are solved
simultaneously and the results used to provide improved estimates
of the temperature and flow profiles.

Linear Algebra Methods

The set of equations can be expressed in matrix form and solved
using the standard inversion routines available in modern computer
systems. Convergence can usually be achieved after a few
iterations.
It is possible to include and couple to the distillation program, some
thermodynamic method for estimation of the liquid-vapour
relationships (activity coefficients) as the UNIFAC method
This makes the program particularly useful for the design of
columns for new processes, where experimental data for the
equilibrium relationships are unlikely to be available.

Separation Principles
Phase creation (use of ESA, heating or
depressurizing)
Phase addition(use of MSA, solvent addition)
Barrier separation(use of membrane)
Solid agents separation(use of particles,
adsorption and reactive separation)
Separation by gradient(use of
electricormagneticfield)

Azeotropic & Extractive Distillation

 Ethanol-Water system (upto 96 %)

Minimum boiling Azeotrope
Maximum boiling Azeotrope

31

Water nitric acid

Water hydrochloric acid
Water alcohols
Acetone chloroform
Acetone carbon disulfide

32

 For nearly pure product

High Reflux Ratio
Large No. of plates

n-heptane methyl cyclohexane system

R.V = 1.08
Large No. of plates are required

33

 Phase addition
To increase the Relative Volatility

34

 A component of high volatility is added called ENTRAINER

MSA is used which forms a azeotrope with one of the components in the
mixture.
Principle of separation: boiling point differences caused by formation of
a azeotropic mixture.
Separating agent: liquid entrainer (MSA) and heat transfer (ESA)
Low boiling azeotrope is obtained at top of the column.
Mostly Entrainer is added at feed plate.

35

Cheap
Readily available
Chemically stable
Non reactive
Non corrosive
Non toxic
Low latent heat of vaporization
Low freezing pt. to facilitate storage & handling
Low viscosity

38

 A component of low volatility is added called SOLVENT

MSA is used which forms Low volatile mixture with one or more
components in the mixture.

Low volatile mixture is obtained at the bottom of the column.

Separating agent: liquid entrainer (MSA) and heat transfer (ESA)
Mostly Solvent is added at top plate.

39

40

Satisfactory Selectivity
Satisfactory volatility
Ease of Separation
Miscibility Relationships
Miscellaneous properties

Chemical stability
Thermal stability
Non-toxic
Non- corrosive
Cost
availability

42

 Should enhance significantly the natural relative volatility of the key

component.
Should not require an excessive ratio of solvent to nonsolvent
Should remain soluble in the feed components and should not lead to the
formation of two phase.
Should be easily separable from the bottom product.
Should be inexpensive and readily available.
Should be stable at the temperature of the distillation and solvent
separation.
Should be nonreactive with the components in the feed mixture.
Should have a low latent heat.
Should be noncorrosive and nontoxic.
Naturally no single solvent or solvent mixture satisfy all the criteria, and
compromises must be reached.
43