Optimum Feed Plate Location for Multi-component Distillation Separations

Abstract

The object of this thesis is to study the optimum feed plate location of a simple one-feed, two-product distillation column. The optimum feed plate location provides the reflux and boil up rates which lead to minimum duty of the column. The tool of this study is the MAXISIM simulation system program, developed in the School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University. The feed used in this study were chosen in such a way that they will be representative of the feeds that might be encountered in industry. The results are compared with those predicted by the correlations of Fenske, Winn, Kirkbride, and Akashah et al. The final result is in the form of an improved correlation that can be applied to various feed conditions and column sizes. In general, the correlation can predict optimum feed plate location better than the others for a saturated liquid feed. The new correlation also gives a satisfactory prediction when employed in the range of saturated liquid down to 50 percent liquid feed.