Separation Processes
Equilibrium stages, binary and multicomponent distillation, rigorous column models, azeotropic and extractive distillation, column sizing and heat pumps, staged absorption and stripping, liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption and membranes, applied to an ethanol recovery column and an ethyl acetate purification train at a bioethanol plant in Sarnia, Ontario.
CHE-350 Year 3 3 credits 12 lessons · 4 h 6 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon
Offered by HSM University · Chemical Engineering
This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.
What you'll learn
- Explain the equilibrium-stage concept, choose separating agents, and calculate single-stage flashes for non-ideal mixtures such as ethanol and water.
- Design binary distillation columns with the McCabe-Thiele method, including minimum reflux, minimum stages, feed location and tangent pinches.
- Convert equilibrium stages to real trays with Murphree and overall efficiencies, and calculate condenser and reboiler duties and steam rates.
- Apply the Fenske, Underwood, Gilliland and Kirkbride methods to multicomponent distillation and judge when shortcut methods are valid.
- Explain the MESH equations and the bubble-point method, rate an existing column, and check simulator results for physical sense.
- Select among pressure-swing, extractive and heterogeneous azeotropic distillation and use residue curve maps to judge feasible splits.
- Size tray and packed columns for flooding, choose between trays and packing, and evaluate heat pumps and other energy integration.
- Design dilute absorbers and strippers with the Kremser equation, including minimum solvent and the choice of stripping factor.
- Analyse liquid-liquid extraction with ternary diagrams, extraction factors and countercurrent stages, and size settlers with Stokes' law.
- Design adsorption beds from isotherms and breakthrough curves, and compare pressure-swing and temperature-swing regeneration.
- Estimate membrane area and performance for pervaporation, gas permeation and reverse osmosis, and explain their trade-offs.
- Prepare a documented design basis for a separation train, with balances, recycles, energy targets, off-design cases and operating risks.
Course content
12 lessons · 4 h 6 min total · final exam
- 1 Separation processes and the equilibrium stage 21 min · quiz
- 2 Binary distillation: the McCabe-Thiele method 21 min · quiz
- 3 Binary distillation design: efficiency, duties and column variations 21 min · quiz
- 4 Multicomponent distillation: shortcut methods 20 min · quiz
- 5 Rigorous stage-by-stage calculations 21 min · quiz
- 6 Azeotropic, extractive and pressure-swing distillation 21 min · quiz
- 7 Column hardware, sizing and energy integration 20 min · quiz
- 8 Staged absorption and stripping 20 min · quiz
- 9 Liquid-liquid extraction 20 min · quiz
- 10 Adsorption 20 min · quiz
- 11 Membrane separations 20 min · quiz
- 12 Capstone: the ethyl acetate purification train 21 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
Equilibrium stages, binary and multicomponent distillation, rigorous column models, azeotropic and extractive distillation, column sizing and heat pumps, staged absorption and stripping, liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption and membranes, applied to an ethanol recovery column and an ethyl acetate purification train at a bioethanol plant in Sarnia, Ontario.
Part of the Engineering stream, typically taken in year 3.