A mixture of 30 mol % n-pentane and 70 mol % n-heptane will be distilled in continuous operation to contain 98% n-pentane in the top product. 96% of the n-pentane in the feed stream entering the...

Extracted text: A mixture of 30 mol % n-pentane and 70 mol % n-heptane will be distilled in continuous operation to contain 98% n-pentane in the top product. 96% of the n-pentane in the feed stream entering the column is to be recovered in the top product. a) Prepare the equilibrium diagram using the boiling point diagram [T; x,y ] given below. According to the McCabe-Thiele method; b) Determine the minimum number of plates required for this separation. c) Calculate the minimum reflux ratio when the feed stream is saturated liquid at its boiling point. d) Determine the theoretical number of plates required for separation when the actual reflux ratio is 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.0 and 2.5 times the minimum reflux ratio. Interpret the number of plates you determined against the reflux ratios by graphing them. 250 200 150 100 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Temperature (F)