Experiment no.

3 Date:

Binary Vapor liquid Equilibrium

Aim: i. To determine the composition of components in vapor phase,

ii. To plot graph between temperature and mole fraction and
iii. To determine the relative volatility.

Apparatus: Round bottom flask, thermocouple, condenser, heater.

Chemicals: Toluene and benzene.

Theory : Equilibrium is a static condition in which no changes occur in the macroscopic properties of a
system with time.Vapor liquid Equilibrium is a condition where a liquid and its vapor are in equilibrium
with each other, a condition or state where the rate of evaporation is equal to the rate of condensation
one a molecular level such that there is no overall vapor liquid inter-conversion.

In theory equilibrium takes forever to reach, such an equilibrium is practically reached in a relatively
closed location if a liquid and its vapor are allowed to stand in contact with each other long enough with
no interference or only gradual interference from the outside.

Relative volatility ( α ) is a measure comparing the vapor pressures of the components in a liquid
mixture of chemicals. When the volatilities of both key components are equal, a = 1 and separation
would be impossible under the given conditions because the compositions of the liquid and the vapor
phase are the same (azeotrope).As the value of a increases above 1, separation becomes progressively
easier.

Fig 1 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

VLE experimental setup:

1. The setup consists of a round bottom flask, a condenser, a thermocouple ,two water streams, a
heater and a conical flask.
2. A mixture of benzene and toluene is prepared and put into the flask. Then the power is supplied
and the mixture begins to boil.
3. After some time equilibrium is reached, this is marked by steady temperature in both the phases.
4. Samples of condensed vapor and liquid are taken. To calculate the composition we need to
measure the refractive index of the sample.

In an experiment since vapor and liquid composition changes dynamically we need to measure until
they reach vapor liquid equilibrium. For such a measurement, physical properties (such as refractive
index) can be explored and related to the composition of a liquid.

Procedure:

1. Cleaning the Setup : The setup is cleaned to start a new Experiment.

2. Mixing in given ratios : A mixture of benzene and toluene is prepared and put into the flask.
3. Power is Supplied : Then the power is supplied and the mixture begins to boil.
4. Equilibrium is Reached: After some time equilibrium is reached, this is marked by steady
temperature in both the phases.
5. Measuring RI : Samples of condensed vapor and liquid are taken. To calculate the composition
we need to measure the refractive index of the sample and look into the chart.

Fig 2 Mole fraction Vs Temperature plot

LabView Calculations:

STEP 1 : This step includes the calibration part where the user input is volume fraction and the output is
the corresponding refractive index.
STEP 2 :This step includes the experiment part where the input is volume fraction and the output which
you virtually get are the temperatures and the refractive index.

STEP 3 :In this step we basically calculate the equilibrium compositions from the refractive index
which we got in step 2.
STEP 4 :In this step the user has to calculate the relative volatility by using their equilibrium
composition values which they have calculated in step 3.Finally they need to give an average relative
volatility value.

STEP 5 :This step basically gives parity plots between user's equilibrim composition and virtual
equilibrium composition .
STEP 6 :This is the last step which gives the user all possible reasons of deviating from the standard
value of relative volatility.

Conclusion: From this experiment we found that, how to use virtual lab to obtain
i. the composition of components in vapor phase,
ii. the plot graph between temperature and mole fraction and
iii. the relative volatility.

Applications: To obtain binary vapor liquid equilibrium data.

Experiment no. 4 Date:

Design of Binary Distillation Column

Aim: To study a Mathematical program for the design of distillation columns for binary mixtures and
diameter calculations.

Theory : The distillation column consists of several trays, which allow the simultaneous travel of liquid
down the tray and vapor up the tray, allowing mixing of the two phases and therefore equilibrium.

The liquid mixture that is to be processed is known as the feed. The feed-tray divides the column into a
top (enriching or rectifcation) section and a bottom (stripping) section.

The vapour moves up the column, and as it exits the top of the unit, it is cooled by a condenser. The
condensed liquid is stored in a holding vessel known as the reflux drum. Some of this liquid is recycled
back to the top of the column and this is called the reflux.

The condensed liquid that is removed from the system is known as the top product or distillate.

Design of distillation column :

The accurate design of distillation columns is a very important topic in chemical industry. Here we
describe a Mathematical program for the design of distillation columns for binary mixtures.

For simplicity, it is assumed that the columns are designed by following McCabe-Thiele’s procedure, a
graphical method which determines both the number of stages required for the desired degree of
separation and the location of the feed tray .

The detailed diagram is shown in figure. McCabe-Thiele’s method also requires some additional
assumptions .In particular, it is assumed that:

1. the molar overflow is constant.

2. the molal heats of vaporization of the components are roughly the same
3. heat effects are negligible.
DETAILS OF q-LINE :

SLOPE OF THE q-line CONDITION OF FEED

VALUE OF
q
(Equation 1) (Equation 2)
0 0 i.e. Horizontal Line Hf = hF , feed is a saturated vapor
1 Infinite i.e. vertical line hF = hf , feed is a saturated liquid
-ve inclined between saturated liquid and Feed is a mixture of saturated vapor and
0-1
saturated vapor line saturated liquid
hF < hf , feed is a liquid below the
>1 +ve inclined beyond saturated q-line
saturated liquid line
<0 +ve inclined below saturated vapor line Feed is a superheated vapor

LOCATION OF q-LINE FOR TYPICAL FEED CONDITIONS

..............................equation 1

....................................equation 2
Nomenclature:

Hf Enthalpy of Vapor
hF Enthalpy of Feed
hf Enthalpy of Liquid
xF Mole Fraction of Feed
Mole Fraction of Bottom
xB
Product
xD Mole Fraction of Distillate
R Reflux Ratio

The Basic difference between Design and Simulation of a Distillation Column is :

Given alpha,xD,xB,xF,q and R

In Design
Determine NR, NS,Diameter and Cost
Given alpha, NR, NS and xF
In Simulation
Determine xD, xB and R

Diameter calculations :

For diameter calculations initially we begin with the calculations of physical properties of feed
components. Then we go for vapor velocity calculation as shown in eqn 1. A correlation that includes
the effect of surface tension is given below; values of Kv for use with this equation are shown in Fig 1.
The correlation is not recommended for liquids of very low surface tension or for systems that foam
easily using the value of kv the allowable vapor velocity uc can be determined using eqn1.

........................ equation (1)

Then the vapor flow rate can be further calculated using eqn 2 .

....................... equation (2)

The cross sectional area of the column can be determined by calculating the bubbling area and the
column area. Bubbling area = (vapor flow rate /allowable vapor velocity). If the bubbling area is 70% of
the total column area then column area = bubbling area / 0.7 . finally the column diameter can be
calculated by using eqn 3.

................................. equation (3)

Fig gives the value of Kv at flooding conditions , L/V = Ratio of mass flow rate of liquid to vapor, u is
in ft/s, and sigmais in dyne/cm).

Column height calculations:

The height of a trayed column is calculated by multiplying the number of (actual) stages by the tray
separation. Tray spacing can be determined as a cost optimum, but is usually set by mechanical factors.
The most common tray spacing is 24 inches .It allows enough space to work on the trays whenever the
column is big enough around (>5 ft diameter).

In addition to the space occupied by the trays, height is needed at the top and bottom of the column.
Space at the top typically an additional 5 to 10 ft is needed to allow for disengaging space. The bottom
of the tower must be tall enough to serve as a liquid reservoir.

Depending on our needs we will probably design the base for about 5 minutes of holdup, so that the total
material entering the base can be contained for at least 5 minutes before reaching the bottom tray. The
total of height added to the top and bottom will usually amount to about 15% or so added to that
required by the trays.
LabView Calculations:

STEP 1 : This is the first step where the input is relative volatility.Depending on this the equilibrium
curve will be drawn.

STEP 2 : In this step the inputs are the distilate composition and the reflux ratio depending on which the
upper operating line is made.
STEP 3 : In this step the inputs are the feed composition and the Q value depending on which the Q-
line is made.

STEP 4 : In this step the input is the bottom composition depending on which the lower operating line is
made.
STEP 5 : This step is the concluding step for the McCabe thiele process. Here we get the data for the
equilibrium compositions of both liquid and vapor on each tray ,all the flow rates and the no. of stages in
each section. It also involves the self assessment part.

STEP 6 : This step involves the diameter , height and the various cost calculations.
STEP 7 : This is the final step which involves the case study of different parameters.

Conclusion: From this experiment we determine number of theoretical stages using Maccabe thiele
method and column diameter.

Applications: To obtain number of theoretical stages.

Experiment no. 5 Date:

Water Cooling Tower

Aim: To determine the overall heat transfer coefficient in a forced draft counter current cooling tower.
To measure Tower Characteristic parameter KV/L for various liquid and air flow rates (L/G) in a
counter-current Forced draft Cooling Tower.

Theory : Water from condensers and heat exchangers is usually cooled by an air stream in spray ponds
or in Cooling Towers using natural draft or forced flow of the air. Mechanical draft towers are of the
forced draft type, where the air is blown into the tower by a fan at the bottom. The forced draft
materially reduces the effectiveness of the cooling.

Water may be cooled by the air as long as its temperature is above the wet bulb temperature of the
entering air. Markel’s theory is used which is based on enthalpy potential difference as the driving force.

For heat transfer operation: Each particle of water is assumed to be surrounded by a film of air and the
enthalpy difference between the film and the surrounding air provides the driving force for the cooling
process. Assume that liquid is warmer than gas.

For mass transfer operation: Each particle of water is assumed to be surrounded by a film of air and the
enthalpy difference between the film and the surrounding air provides the driving force for the cooling
process.
Procedure:

1. Fill the heating tank with water, set the temperature with the help of D.T.C. and switch on heater.
2. Switch on pump & blower after desired temperature achieved.
3. Set the flow rate of water and air.
4. Record the flow rate of water and manometer reading after steady state achieved.
5. Record the temperatures.
6. Steps 3 to 5 may be repeated for different water & air flow rates within operational range.
7.

Exerimental calculations :

Diameter of Orifice, mm (d1) =34

Diameter of pipe, mm (d2) =68

Coefficient of discharge Cd= 0.6

Density of manometer fluid (water), w (kg/m3) =1000

Density of air, (kg/m3) =1.126

g = 9.81 m/s2

Flow rate = 70 ltr/hr

S. No. T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 R1(cm) R2(cm) QW (LPH)

1 19 17.5 38.6 36 44.5 30.5 5.6 9.5 3.9
2 19.5 18.1 35.4 34.4 43.7 28.3 3 12.1 9.1
3 20 18.7 35.1 34 44.1 28 0.2 14.1 13.9

Calculations :

=34.54 m

a1 =Cross Section area of Orifice, = 907.46 *10-6 m2

a2 = Cross Section area of pipe, = 3629.84*10-6 m2

 = 0.01463 m3/s

nbsp;

= 0.0165 kg/s

=0.01944 kg/s

L/G =1.178

From Enthalpy table, the enthalpy of entering air at a wet bulb temp i.e.17.5 0C is h1= 15.274 Btu/lb of
air

=15.274 + 1.178(44.5-30.5)

=31.766 Btu/lb of air

hai
T,0F hwi
T=T2 =63.5 hw = -------- ha = h1 =15.274 --------
T=T2 +0.1(T1- hw =32.12 ha = h1+0.1(L/G)(T5-T6) 13.87
T2)=63.77 =18.25
T=T2 +0.4(T1- hw =33.12 ha = h1+0.4(L/G)(T5-T6) 5.93
T2)=64.56 =27.19
T=T2 -0.4(T1- hw =33.62 ha = h2-0.4(L/G)(T5-T6)= 13.78
T2)=65.12 19.84
T=T2 -0.1(T1- hw =34.11 ha = h2-0.1(L/G)(T5-T6) 5.33
T2)=65.93 = 28.78
T=T1 =66.2 hw =34.32 ha = h2 = 31.76 2.56
Cooling range = T5-T6 = 140C

Temperature approach =T2-T6 = -130C

= 0.501

Now tower characteristics

=1.7535

On doing the similar calculations for different values of (L/G),we get the complete calculation
table.From there we draw a graph between tower characteristics and (L/G).
LabView Calculations:

STEP 1 : In this step the user will be given values for diameters and densities. According to that the
user has to calculate the areas and enter the values in the boxes provided.

STEP 2 :In this step the user will be supplied with virtual data for temperature ,water levels and flow
rate which he will require for further calculations.
STEP 3 :Here the user will have to enter his calculated values based on the virtual data and formulas
provided.

STEP 4 :Here the user will have to enter his calculated values based on the virtual data provided.
STEP 5 :In this step the user will be provided with virtual data for temperature and enthalpy as shown
in the snapshot below.

STEP 6 :Here the user will have to enter his calculated values based on the virtual data provided in the
space shown in the snapshot.
STEP 7 :Here the user has to enter his calculated value for the tower Characteristic parameter

STEP 8 :This is a simple comparison step between the user's calculated data and the virtual data.
Conclusion: From this experiment we determine the overall heat transfer coefficient in a forced draft
counter current cooling tower.

Applications: To obtain the overall heat transfer coefficient in a forced draft counter current cooling
tower. Therefore to find heat transfer rate.