Distillation Design and Control Using Aspen Simulation
Chapter One
FUNDAMENTALS OF VAPOR-LIQUID
PHASE EQUILIBRIUM (VLE)
Distillation occupies a very important position in chemical engineering. Distillation and
chemical reactors represent the backbone of what distinguishes chemical engineering
from other engineering disciplines. Operations involving heat transfer and fluid mechanics
are common to several disciplines. But distillation is uniquely under the purview of chemical
engineers.
The basis of distillation is phase equilibrium, specifically, vapor-liquid (phase) equilibrium
(VLE) and in some cases vapor-liquid-liquid (phase) equilibrium (VLLE). Distillation
can effect a separation among chemical components only if the compositions of the
vapor and liquid phases that are in phase equilibrium with each other are different. A
reasonable understanding of VLE is essential for the analysis, design, and control of
distillation columns.
The fundamentals of VLE are briefly reviewed in this chapter.
1.1 VAPOR PRESSURE
Vapor pressure is a physical property of a pure c ... read full excerpt from Distillation Design and Control Using Aspen Simulation ebook
