Correlation between the Number of Theoretical Plates and Reflux Ratio in the Binary Batch Distillation

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the binary batch distillation at constant reflux ratio, on the assumption (for the sake of simplicity) that the holdup was negligible and molal down flow and relative volatility were constant. The results obtained may be summarized as follows:
1) Based on the same value of pole height for the sharpness of separation, the correlation between the number of theoretical plates and reflux ratio was obtained as shown in Fig. 3, where the values of (R-R')/(R+1) ranged from 0.15 to 0.50, said correlation being represented by the following equation.
2) Based on the average composition of distillate and yield of a more volatile component, for the sharpness of separation, the following equation for the minimum number of theoretical plates and minimum reflux ratio, respectively, were obtained.
where,
3) Based on the average composition of distillate and yield of a more volatile component for the sharpness of separation, the correlation between the number of theoretical plates and reflux ratio was obtained as shown in Fig. 5, where the values of (R-R')/(R+1) ranged from 0.15 to 0.50, said correlation being represented by the following equation.