Q2) Phase Equilibria Pressure The vapor leaving the top of a distillation column (overhead) goes to a condenser in which either total or partial condensation takes place. If a total condenser is used, a portion of the condensate is returned to the top of the column as reflux and the remaining liquid is taken off as overhead product the (or distillate). If a partial condenser is used, the liquid condensate is returned as reflux and the uncondensed vapor is taken off as the overhead (or distillate) product. Vapor from top of column Reflux (liquid) PARTIAL CONDENSER Cooling fluid Overhead product (vapor) REFLUX DRUM The overhead product from an -butane--pentane distillation column is 96 mole% butane. The temperature of the cooling fluid limits the condenser temperature to 40 C or higher. a. Using Raoult's law, estimate the minimum pressure at which the condenser can operate as a partial condenser (i.e., at which it can produce liquid for reflux) and the minimum pressure at which it can operate as a total condenser. In terms of dew point and bubble point, what do each of these pressures represent for the given temperature? 1 b. Suppose the condenser operates as a total condenser at °40 C, the production rate of overhead product is 75 kmol/h, and the mole ratio of reflux to overhead (distillate) product is 1.5:1. Calculate the molar flow rates and compositions of the reflux stream and the vapor feed to the condenser. c. Suppose now that a partial condenser is used, with the reflux and overhead product in equilibrium at 40 °C and the overhead (distillate) product flow rate and reflux-to-overhead product ratio having the values given in part (b). Calculate the operating pressure of the condenser and the compositions of the reflux and vapor feed to the condenser.

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