Distillation Fundamentals
- Introduction to Distillation
- Introduction to Reflux
- The Antoine Equation
- Understadning Efficiencies
Core chemical engineering · Years 3–4
Distillation for chemical engineers
A course on the design, troubleshooting and optimisation of distillation columns, covering ideal and non-ideal VLE and the McCabe-Thiele, Modi & Westerberg and Ponchon-Savarit methods.
- 30
- 37
- 12
- 7
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No card needed. Every lesson is open on every plan.
The subject
What Distillation covers
This course equips learners to design, troubleshoot and optimise a wide range of distillation columns using a combination of theoretical and industrial principles. It gives a detailed overview of column types from binary to multi-component, reactive and pressure-swing systems, and explores ideal and non-ideal VLE systems in detail to explain the working principles of each type of operation. The McCabe-Thiele, Modi & Westerberg and Ponchon-Savarit methods are used to design different columns using the techniques unique to each, considering bubble and dew points and isolating the rectifying and stripping sections. Additional content covers sequencing and heat integration, including forward and backward integration methods. Learners come away able to understand the various column types and their pros and cons; design and model binary and multi-component columns; apply the McCabe-Thiele method graphically; apply the Modi & Westerberg shortcut method; use the Ponchon-Savarit method; and use sequencing for integration and optimisation.
What you’ll be able to do
- Explain why distillation is efficient for separating liquid mixtures
- Explain why multi-component systems rather than binary systems are used in industry
- Define an azeotrope by matching vapour and liquid compositions
- Apply a mass balance to differential distillation of a binary mixture
- Locate the rectifying section above the feed point in a column
- Define distillation sequencing as the order of product separation
The lessons
Every lesson, theme by theme
30 lessons in 7 themes, pitched at Years 3–4. Your year decides what comes first, never what you can open.
Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium
- Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Multi Component Systems
- Ideal Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Method
- Non-Ideal Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Azeotrope
- Introduction to Bubble & Dew Points
Azeotropes & Special Distillation
- Introduction to Azeotropes
- Extractive Distillation
- Azeotropic Distillation
- Pressure-Swing Distillation
Column Design Methods
- Differential Distillation - Mass Balance
- Distillation Design Method Overview
- Distillation Design - Modi & Westerberg Method
Ponchon-Savarit Method
- Ponchon-Savarit Rectifying Section
- Ponchon-Savarit Stripping Section
- Ponchon-Savarit Wole Column Design
Sequencing & Heat Integration
- Introudction to Distillation Sequencing
- Sequencing Design Heuristics
- Heat Integration Grand Composite Curve GCC
- Forward & Backwards Heat Integration
More in Distillation
- Laws of Distillation
- K-Value and Relative Volatility
- Introduction to Flahs Distillation
- Reactive Distillation
- Binary Vapour Liquid System
- Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Non-Ideal Systems
- The McCable Thiele Method
- Ponchon-Savarit Method Introduction
Before you start
What it builds on
How you’ll learn it
Distillation, at your pace
Video lessons
30 lessons and 37 videos, each with what you’ll be able to do by the end.
Practice, marked as you go
12 practice questions, marked the moment you answer, with hints when you’re stuck. Step-by-step worked solutions come with Core.
CERA, when it doesn’t click
Ask CERA to explain any idea in Distillation another way, or to test you on it. Every day, on every plan.
Keep exploring
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Reactor Design
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Heat Transfer
A comprehensive heat transfer course spanning conduction, convection and radiation, Nusselt analysis, pinch technology heat integration, nodal networks and thermal food systems.
Ready when you are
Build a plan around exactly where you’re stuck
Tell us where you are and get a pathway with your first lesson, your first practice set and a weekly study target. You won’t need an account until you want to keep it.