Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations) Fourth Edition

11.4. DISTILLATION WITH REFLUX AND McCABE–THIELE METHOD

11.4A. Introduction to Distillation with Reflux

Rectification (fractionation) or stage distillation with reflux, from a simplified point of view, can be considered to be a process in which a series of flash-vaporization stages are arranged in a series in such a manner that the vapor and liquid products from each stage flow counter current to each other. The liquid in a stage is conducted or flows to the stage below and the vapor from a stage flows upward to the stage above. Hence, in each stage a vapor stream V and a liquid stream L enter, are mixed and equilibrated, and a vapor and a liquid stream leave in equilibrium. This process flow diagram was shown in Fig. 10.3-1 for a single stage ...