A Paper about the Slope of the Equilibrium Line

The objective of this paper is to present a new method of approximating the slope in multicomponent systems based on differentiation of the phase equilibrium surface with respect to the mole fraction of the design component, defined as that compound we seek to eliminate from the mixture in a particular section of the column. There is only one design compound per column section. The approach presented here can be easily applied to absorber and stripper columns, where the concept of key components is not applicable.Two analytical approximate methods of estimating the design slope are shown to be in good agreement with the rigorous calculation even in cases where the relative volatility is not constant. These simple approximations, which need nothing beyond what is readily available from any column simulation program are adequate for design and can be programmed easily in any spreadsheet.

Source: Chemical Engineering Research and Design - July 4, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research