Correlation between Reflux Ratio and Mass Fraction of Distilled

Ethanol

Group 9 - A01: Melissa Nguyen Alan Tam, Reiko Liu, Joseph

GuarnesJanuary 28th, 2016

Continuous Rectification: Separation of Ethanol from ethanol and water mixture

Separate two or more liquids that are miscible in each other.

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Distillation Process

Batch Distillation Continuous Distillation

Methods and Measurements

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1. Initial composition

2. Heat up

3. Reach steady state

4. Change Reflux Ratio

5. Collect Distillate

Reflux Ratio = L/D

Recorded Data:

➢ Temperatures at top and bottom of column

➢ Column Pressure Drop

Recorded Data:

For Distillate sample

➢ Time stamp

➢ Volume

➢ Mass

➢ Temperature

Decrease in Ethanol Average Mass Fraction at R=25%

R = 25%

Column has 6 Stages using Flash Calculation and McCabe Thiele Graphical Method

xB = 0.0411

xD = 0.7881

Future Experiment: Recommendation

★Find the initial composition of ethanol in the mixture.

★Make sure your system is at steady state.

★Small reflux ratios show more obvious trends in a short amount of time. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ?