Question 2 A mass balance in a flash column is illustrated i

Question 2 A mass balance in a flash column is illustrated in Figure 1. 0.05 Methanol 0.85 Triglyceride 0.10 molal- 100 kg 0.60 Water Methanol \"x 1-x-0.60 Triglyceride 0.70 Muter 0.05 0.25 Triglyceride Figure 1: Mass balance in a flash column By creating symbolic equations to represent each material balances, use solve function to solve the system and determine all unknowns. (5 Marks)

Solution

Symbolic equations to represent each material balances

xmethanol: x=0.85+0.05.......1

x triglyceride: 0.25+0.10=1-x-0.60.........2

m top+ m bottom = 100 kg.............3

From 1, x methanol=0.9, x triglyceride implies 0.35 = 0.40 -x which implies x triglyceride = 0.40 -0.35 = 0.05

Total content at top= 0.05+0.85+0.10= 1

Total contents at the bottom = 0.70 + 0.05 + 0.25 =1

Hence m top: m bottom = 1:1

Therefore m top= 50 kg and m bottom =50 kg.