Distillation is a process that separates mixtures into their component parts based on differences in volatility. It works by heating the mixture to its boiling point, converting it to vapor which is then cooled and condensed. Components with lower boiling points concentrate in the vapor phase due to having a higher vapor pressure. This allows distillation to fractionate mixtures like petroleum or produce pure substances like ethanol. There are several types that include simple, fractional, vacuum and azeotropic distillation which use variations like reduced pressure or additional compounds.
2. DISTILLATION
Distillation is a process in which a liquid or vapour mixture of two or
more substances is separated into its component fractions of desired
purity, by theapplication and removal of heat.
Distillation is done on the basis of differences in their
volatilities in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a
physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction.
Principle:
Separation of componentsfrom aliquid mixtureviadistillation depends
on the differences in boiling points of the individual
components. And also depends on the vapour pressure
characteristics of liquid mixtures.
3. For any liquid, the individual
molecules within theliquid are
continuously in motion
A small percentage of these
molecules attain enough
kinetic energy to leave the
liquid phase
This exerts an opposing
pressure on the atmosphere
above the solution known as
thevapor pressure, P
Atmospheric pressure, P atm
Vapor Pressure, P
4. P < P atm P ≥ P atm
When enough energy, in the form of heat, is imparted to
the solution the vapor pressure becomes equal to
the atmospheric pressure and the liquid begins to
boil
5. RAOULT’SLAW
In a solution of two miscible liquids (A & B) the partial
pressure of component “A” (PA) in the solution equals
the partial pressure of pure “A” (PA
o
) times its mole fraction
(NA)
Partial Pressure of A in solution = PA = (PA
o
) x (NA)
Partial Pressure of Bin solution = PB = (PB
o
) x (NB)
When the total pressure (sum of the partial pressures) is
equal to or greater than the applied pressure, normally
Atmospheric Pressure(760 mm Hg), thesolution boils
Ptotal = PA + PB
= PA
o
NA + PB
o
NB
If the sum of the two partial pressures of the two compounds
in amixtureislessthan theapplied pressure, themixturewill
not boil. The solution must be heated until the combined
vapor pressureequalstheapplied pressure
6. VAPOR ENRICHMENT
From Raoult’sLaw wecan obtain thefollowing relationships:
NNAA
vaporvapor
==P˚P˚AA/P/PTT
And
NNBB
vaporvapor
==P˚P˚BB/P/PTT
If AA ismorevolatilethan BB, BPAA < BPBB and P˚P˚AA > P˚P˚BB
Then
NNAA
vaporvapor
>>NNAA
liquidliquid
The result of this process is that when a mixture of two miscible
liquids with different boiling points is heated, the vapor will have a
different composition than the liquid. THE VAPOR ISTHE VAPOR IS
ENRICHED IN THE MORE VOLATILE (LOWER BOILING)ENRICHED IN THE MORE VOLATILE (LOWER BOILING)
COMPONENTCOMPONENT.
8. Simple
Distillation
In Simple distillation the
only one chain of
vaporization and
condensation takesplace.
Its only applicable if
difference of boiling points
isvery largelike25-35`C.
It is mostly use to separate
volatile liquid from non-
volatileliquids.
Its difficult get pure
substance only by simple
distillation.
Distillation of seawater.
9. Fractional
Distillation
It is another common type of
distillation.
It is used to separate liquids
having very close boiling
points.
It requires more
evaporation/condensation
cycles
For fractional distillation one
fractionating column is
introduced between flask and
condenser. Each gap works as
onecycle
It is use in petro chemical
industry.
11. Vacuum Distillation
Vacuum distillation is a method of
distillation whereby the pressure above
the liquid mixture to be distilled is
reduced to less than its vapor
pressure (usually less than atmospheric
pressure) causing evaporation of the most
volatile liquid(s) (those with the lowest
boiling points).
This distillation method works on the
principle that boiling occurs when the
vapor pressure of a liquid exceeds the
ambient pressure.
It is use for temperature sensitive
materials likeoil industry.
12. AZEOTROPIC DISTILLATION
It is special type of distillation which is
specifically use for azeotropic
mixture.
They can’t be distilled directly as their
liquid and vapour composition are
same.
In this some other component is added
to createnew low boiling azeotrope.
Which creates two heterogeneous
layers.
Thiscan beeasily distill.
In production of ethanol, to break
azeotrope of 96%ehanol and 4% water
benzeneisadded.
14. BASIC DISTILLATION
EQUIPMENTS
A vertical shell where the separation of
liquid componentsiscarried out
Column internals such as trays/plates
and/or packings which are used to
enhancecomponent separations
A reboiler to provide the necessary
vaporization for thedistillation process
A condenser to cool and condense the
vapour leaving thetop of thecolumn
A reflux drum to hold the condensed
vapour from the top of the column so that
liquid (reflux) can be recycled back to the
column
15. DISTILLATION OPERATION
In distillation column feed is introduced at themiddle
of the column on feed tray which divides the column
in top and bottom section.
The feed slowly comes down in column where it is
collected in reboliler which converts feed in to
vapour.
Vapour is reintroduced in column from bottom and
liquid remain in reboiler isknown asbottom.
Vapour movesupward in column and comesout from
top
It is then condensed by condenser and stored in
vessel. It isknown asdistillate.
Some of this condensate is again introduced from
top.It isknown asreflux.
Thus, there are internal flows of vapour and liquid
within the column as well as external flows of feed
and product streams, into and out of thecolumn.
16. CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMN
Classification Of Column
ContinuousColumn
Batch Column
Types of Continues Column
Nature of Feed
Binary Column
Multi Component Column
Column Internals
Tray Column
Packed Column