Abstract
This paper highlights inconsistencies in the modelling of mass transfer in multicomponent distillation columns. Models of flow and mass transfer are developed that seek to avoid these inconsistencies based on the usual assumptions of plug flow of vapor and of plug flow or axial dispersion of the liquid. These models are used together with a nonequilibrium model of trayed distillation columns. It is shown that the revised models are capable of sensible predictions of column performance. Methods of evaluating binary (Maxwell—Stefan) mass transfer coefficients are evaluated and it is found that mass transfer on sieve trays is best modelled with the Chan and Fair correlation. Mass transfer is multicomponent distillation should be modelled using the Maxwell-Stefan equations; simpler approaches may be significantly less demanding of computer time but columns designs based on such methods can be very different from those obtained using the more rigorous approach.
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