Question

A fractionation column operating at 1 bar is to separate 10,000 kg/hr of a mixture of benzene and ethylbenzene containing 52.66%mass ethylbenzene into and overhead product containing 95.97%mass benzene and a bottom product containing 97.03%mass ethylbenzene. The feed is liquid at its boiling point, feed is on the optimum tray, and the reflux is at saturation temperature. The column has a total condenser and a partial reboiler.

Determine the distillate and the bottom flow rates in moles.

Vapor-liquid equilibrium for benzene(1) / ethylbenzene(2) at 1bar

Temp, C	X1	Y1
135.679	0	0
130.13	0.05	0.18382
125.126	0.1	0.32872
120.594	0.15	0.4436
116.472	0.2	0.53774
112.707	0.25	0.61395
109.254	0.3	0.67679
106.075	0.35	0.72908
103.138	0.4	0.77296
100.415	0.45	0.81008
97.883	0.5	0.84171
95.521	0.55	0.86882
93.313	0.6	0.89221
91.424	0.65	0.9125
89.297	0.7	0.93018
87.466	0.75	0.94567
85.739	0.8	0.9593
84.106	0.85	0.97133
82.561	0.9	0.982
81.095	0.95	0.99151
79.703	1	1