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Sieve Plate Distillation

The document describes an experiment using a sieve plate distillation column to separate a mixture of n-propanol and iso-propanol. Measurements were taken of the distillate and residue at various times to determine the number of theoretical plates. The theoretical number of plates was calculated to be 3.5, while the actual column contained 4 plates, giving an overall efficiency of 87.5%.

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Saurabh Saraff
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
77 views10 pages

Sieve Plate Distillation

The document describes an experiment using a sieve plate distillation column to separate a mixture of n-propanol and iso-propanol. Measurements were taken of the distillate and residue at various times to determine the number of theoretical plates. The theoretical number of plates was calculated to be 3.5, while the actual column contained 4 plates, giving an overall efficiency of 87.5%.

Uploaded by

Saurabh Saraff
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CL-352

MASS TRANSFER AND REACTION ENGINEERING


LAB

SIEVE PLATE DISTILLATION COLUMN

Instructor Name: Prof. Abinaya Sampath

Name: Saurabh Kumar Sah

Date of Experiment: 22-04-24


SIEVE PLATE DISTILLATION COLUMN

Aim
To determine the theoretical number of plates for a sieve plate distillation column and find the
overall efficiency.

Apparatus and Chemicals


● Sieve plate distillation column Set-up
● Digital refractometer
● N-propanol (200 ml)
● iso-propanol (200 ml)
● Measuring Flask
● 2 small conical flask

Procedure
● We started with preparing an equimolar solution of n-propanol and iso-propanol.
● Check the refractive index of the solution.
● Put the solution in the inlet tank carefully.
● Start the heater and wait till the temperature reaches 1350C.
● When the system reaches a steady state, vapor from the solution condenses in the
distillate.
● The moment we collect distillate for the first time is our t=0.
● Collect very small amounts of distillate and residue and measure their refractive index.
● Repeat the above step after every 5 minutes. Take a total of 10 readings.
● Using the calibration curve for the refractive index, we can calculate the mole fraction
in each phase.
● Now draw triangles between 𝑋𝐷 and 𝑋𝑊. The number of triangles will give the number

of theoretical plates.
Theory

Separating and purifying liquids is fundamental across a wide array of industries, from
chemical production to processing food and beverages. One of the primary techniques
employed for this purpose is distillation, which capitalises on the differing boiling points of
substances to achieve separation. Within the distillation realm, sieve plate distillation columns
emerge as a notable option due to their utilisation of sieve plates, which enhance the
efficiency of the separation and purification process.

Sieve plate distillation columns are designed to facilitate the separation of liquid mixtures by
utilising a series of horizontal plates, known as sieve plates, stacked within the column. These
plates contain perforations or sieve holes through which vapour and liquid flow. As the vapour
rises through the column, it comes into contact with the liquid on the plates. Through this
interaction, components with lower boiling points tend to vaporise and ascend more readily,
while those with higher boiling points remain liquid and collect on the plates.

Sieve plate distillation is a type of distillation process used for separating and purifying liquid
mixtures based on differences in the boiling points of the components. In sieve plate
distillation, the column contains horizontal plates known as sieve plates, which are perforated
with holes or slots.

During the distillation process, the liquid mixture to be separated is heated, causing it to
vaporise. The vapour rises through the column, encountering the liquid mixture on each sieve
plate. As the vapour passes through the holes or slots in the sieve plates, it comes into contact
with the liquid mixture.

The components of the liquid mixture with lower boiling points vaporise more readily and rise
to the top of the column, while those with higher boiling points remain in liquid form and
collect on the sieve plates. The vapour then condenses on cooler surfaces higher in the column
and is collected as the distillate.

The key principle behind sieve plate distillation is the interaction between the rising vapour
and the liquid mixture on each sieve plate. This interaction facilitates the separation of
components based on their differing volatilities or boiling points. The efficiency of the
separation process is influenced by factors such as the number of sieve plates, the temperature
and pressure conditions, and the properties of the liquid mixture being distilled.

Sieve plate distillation is commonly used in various industries for separating and purifying
liquid mixtures, including producing chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
alcoholic beverages. It offers advantages such as simplicity, versatility, and scalability, making
it a widely employed technique in industrial settings.

McCabe-Thiele method

The McCabe-Thiele method is a graphical technique used in chemical engineering to analyse


binary distillation processes and determine the number of theoretical stages (or trays) required
in a distillation column. It provides a straightforward approach to understanding a distillation
system's separation efficiency and design parameters.
The method involves constructing two graphical diagrams: the equilibrium curve and the
operating line.

Equilibrium Curve: This curve represents the equilibrium between the liquid and vapour
phases for the given binary mixture. It is typically plotted as a function of temperature or
composition, illustrating how the vapour phase changes concerning the composition of the
liquid phase at equilibrium.

Operating Line: The operating line represents the conditions within the distillation column,
considering factors such as reflux ratio, feed composition, and product specifications. It is
constructed based on material and energy balances for the column. It reflects the relationship
between the compositions of the liquid and vapour phases at each stage of the column.

By plotting the equilibrium curve and operating line on the same graph, the intersection points
between these curves indicate the equilibrium stages of the distillation column. The number of
stages required for separation can then be determined based on the desired product
specifications and separation efficiency.

Experimental setup for Sieve Plate Distillation


Observations

● Boiling point of n-propanol: 97OC


● Boiling point of iso-propanol: 82OC
● RI of n-propanol: 1.3733
● RI of iso-propanol: 1.3812
Table 1: Vapour-liquid equilibrium data for n-propanol and iso-propanol
x y

0 0

0.0575 0.1100

0.0610 0.1110

0.1455 0.2325

0.2285 0.3510

0.3095 0.4435

0.3125 0.4500

0.4200 0.5545

0.4355 0.5725

0.5190 0.6600

0.6310 0.7480

0.7350 0.8225

0.7675 0.8495

0.8585 0.9175

0.9100 0.9525

1 1
Equilibrium curve for N-propanol and Iso-propanol mixture

Table 2: Observed values of RI and mole fractions of distillate and residue


Time RD RW XD XW
0 1.3752 1.3792 0.6857 0.1143
5 1.3754 1.3790 0.6571 0.1429
10 1.3760 1.3785 0.5714 0.2143
15 1.3750 1.3784 0.7143 0.2286
20 1.3740 1.3782 0.8571 0.2571
25 1.3747 1.3781 0.7571 0.2714
30 1.3746 1.3781 0.7714 0.2714
35 1.3746 1.3781 0.7714 0.2714
40 1.3745 1.3781 0.7857 0.2714
45 1.3746 1.3781 0.7714 0.2714
50 1.3745 1.3781 0.7857 0.2714
Calculation of the number of plates:

From the above graph, we can see that the number of plates required is approximately 4.5

● Equilibrium mole fraction of iso-propanol in distillate = 0.7857


● Equilibrium mole fraction of iso-propanol in residue = 0.2714
● Let Np = number of theoretical plates
● From the plot Np+1 = 4.5
● Np = 3.5

Result

● Theoretical number of sieve plates = 3.5


● Actual number of sieve plates = 4
● Overall efficiency = 3.5/4 = 87.5%

The above image shows how xd and xw vary with time.


Refractive Index vs distillate mole fraction

Discussions & Conclusions

● We collected two liquids in the experiment: the distillate and the residue. The residue
is obtained from the bottom of the apparatus, while the distillate is collected from the
vessel above. The distillate contains the condensed, more volatile liquid since it
comprises the condensed vapour that holds the more volatile component. On the other
hand, the residue is the liquid remaining after the distillation process. It's worth noting
that in this experiment, we maintained a 100% reflux with zero outgoing condensate.
Therefore, the distillate essentially acts as a bypass from the reflux stream. We opted
for the sieve plate method due to its suitability for liquid mixtures with a lesser boiling
point difference. This method is both economical and straightforward to use. The sieve
plate method offers advantages such as a low-pressure difference across the column
and ample surface area for the mixture to separate and traverse.

● The disparity between the theoretical and real number of plates required for a
distillation procedure is common in practical applications. This discrepancy arises due
to several factors inherent in the distillation process.
○ Firstly, it's essential to recognise that no individual plate in the distillation
column operates at 100% efficiency. Even with ideal conditions and careful
design, inherent limitations and inefficiencies exist in each plate's mass transfer
and vapour-liquid equilibrium. As a result, the actual separation achieved on
each plate may need to meet theoretical expectations.

○ Additionally, achieving total equilibrium throughout the distillation column is


practically unattainable. While the theoretical equilibrium stages provide a
useful framework for analysis, achieving perfect equilibrium between the
vapour and liquid phases at every stage is challenging. Variations in the
column's temperature, pressure, and flow dynamics contribute to deviations
from ideal equilibrium conditions.

● The stability and performance of the distillation column can be effectively assessed by
monitoring trends in refractive index measurements over time. By tracking the
fluctuations in these indices during the operation of the column, valuable insights can
be gained into its efficiency, potential challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

● Analysing the refractive index data comprehensively allows operators to identify any
deviations from expected behaviour, such as variations in composition or purity of the
distillate and residue. These deviations may indicate issues such as tray flooding,
temperature inconsistencies, or changes in feed composition, which can impact the
overall performance of the distillation process.

● There might be some errors in the experimental values obtained. Possible reasons for
them may include:
○ The refractometer might not be properly cleaned in consecutive steps.
○ Any mechanical error in set-up

Industrial Applications

Sieve plate distillation is widely used in the chemical industry to separate and purify various
chemical compounds. It facilitates the production of high-purity solvents, fuels, and speciality
chemicals by separating different components based on their boiling points.

In the petrochemical industry, sieve plate distillation is crucial in refining crude oil and
separating hydrocarbons into different fractions, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It
enables the production of refined petroleum products with specific compositions and
properties.

Sieve plate distillation is utilised in pharmaceutical manufacturing to purify pharmaceutical


intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It ensures the removal of
impurities and contaminants, resulting in high-quality pharmaceutical products.

In the food and beverage industry, sieve plate distillation produces alcoholic beverages, such
as whiskey, vodka, and rum. It allows for separating ethanol from fermentation mixtures and
producing spirits with desired alcohol content and flavour profiles.

Precautions

● Proper handling of hazardous materials is crucial when dealing with distilled liquids
like isopropanol and n-propanol, which are flammable and potentially dangerous.
Implementing safety protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective
equipment and following safe handling procedures, is important.

● Temperature control is critical to prevent overheating, which may result in product


degradation and safety risks.
● To prevent any alteration in the composition of the binary mixture, it is advisable to
collect only a small number of sample drops.

● When taking a refractive index reading with a refractometer, it's important to cover the
sample manually to prevent environmental factors from altering the reading.

● After each reading, it's essential to wipe the lens of the refractometer to ensure
accuracy and prevent any residual sample from affecting subsequent readings.

References

● Distillation efficiencies on a large sieve plate with small‐diameter holes - Biddulph -


1986 - AIChE Journal - Wiley Online Library
● Lab Manual

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