Process-Simulation-using-DWSIM/C2/Shortcut-Column-for-Binary-Mixture/English - Revision history

Madhurig at 15:43, 11 February 2026

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Madhurig at 14:39, 11 February 2026

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Madhurig: Created page with "'''Title: Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture''' '''Author: Priyam Nayak''' '''Keywords: '''DWSIM''', '''Material stream, shortcut distillation, compounds, thermodynamic pack..."

2025-12-04T06:56:41Z

Created page with "'''Title: Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture''' '''Author: Priyam Nayak''' '''Keywords: '''DWSIM''', '''Material stream, shortcut distillation, compounds, thermodynamic pack..."

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'''Title: Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture'''

'''Author: Priyam Nayak'''

'''Keywords: '''DWSIM''', '''Material stream, shortcut distillation, compounds, thermodynamic package, heavy key, light key, recovery, feed stage, reflux ratio, video tutorial.

{| border=1
|-
|| '''Visual Cue'''
|| '''Narration'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 1'''

'''Title Slide'''
|| Welcome to this tutorial on simulating a '''Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture''' in '''DWSIM.'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 2'''

'''Learning Objectives'''
|| In this tutorial, we will learn to:
* Design a '''Distillation Column''' for desired separation using '''Shortcut''' method
* Calculate '''Minimum Number of Stages'''
* Calculate '''Minimum Reflux Ratio'''
* Calculate '''Optimal Feed Stage Location'''
* Calculate '''Operating Reflux Ratio'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 3'''
'''System Requirements'''
|| This tutorial is recorded using
* '''DWSIM version 9.0.2'''
* '''Windows 11 OS'''
But, this process is identical in '''Linux, Mac OS X, '''or '''FOSSEE OS on ARM'''.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 4'''
'''Pre-requisites'''
|| To practice this tutorial, you should know to
* add components to a '''flowsheet.'''
* select '''thermodynamic''' packages.
* add '''material''' '''stream''' and specify the properties of a '''material stream'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 5'''

'''Problem Statement'''
Hover the mouse on the flowsheet image.
|| Using the shortcut method, we will develop a flowsheet to design a distillation column.

'''Benzene '''and '''Toluene''' enter the column at this given flow rate, temperature, and pressure.

The condenser is operated at 1.2''' bar''' pressure.
99% of the '''benzene''' fed is recovered as distillate.

The column is operated at a reflux ratio of 1.5 times the minimum.

The reboiler is operated at 1.5 '''bar '''pressure.

99.5% of the '''toluene''' fed is recovered as bottoms.
|-
|| Switch to '''DWSIM. '''
|| I have opened the '''DWSIM''' interface.
|-
|| '''File''' >> '''New Chemical Process Model'''
|| Click on '''File '''on the menu bar.

Select '''New Chemical Process Model.'''
|-
|| Point to '''Simulation Configuration Wizard window'''

''' '''Click the '''Next button.'''
|| A '''Simulation Configuration Wizard''' window appears.

Click the '''Next '''button to continue.
|-
|| Type '''Benzene''' in the search tab
|| In the '''Compounds Search '''tab, type '''Benzene'''.
|-
|| '''ChemSep '''database >> '''Benzene'''
|| Select '''Benzene''' from '''ChemSep database.'''
|-
|| Type '''Toluene '''in the '''Search''' tab
|| Similarly, add '''Toluene.'''
|-
|| Point to '''Added Compounds'''.
|| All the compounds required for this simulation are added.

It can be seen in the '''Added Compounds'''.
|-
|| click the '''Next '''button at the bottom.
|| Click the '''Next '''button to continue.
|-
|| Point to '''Property Packages'''

'''Property Packages''' >> '''Available Property Package

>> Peng- Robinson (PR)'''

Click on '''Add.'''

'''Added Property Package >> Peng- Robinson (PR)'''
|| Now comes '''Property Packages.'''

From the '''Available Property Packages''',

select '''Peng-Robinson (PR).'''

Then click on '''Add'''.

'''Peng-Robinson '''has been added under '''Added Property Packages.'''
|-
|| click the '''Next '''button at the bottom.
|| Click the '''Next '''button to continue.
|-
|| '''System of Units''' >>

'''select C5 '''from the drop down.
|| The next option is the '''System of Units.'''

We will''' '''select '''C5.'''

'''C5''' has the desired system of units according to our problem statement.
|-
|| click the '''Next '''button at the bottom.
|| Click the '''Next '''button to continue.
|-
|| '''Behavior''' >> '''Next'''
|| Click the '''Next''' button at the bottom.
|-
|| '''Undo/Redo Operation''' >> '''Finish'''
|| Click the '''Finish''' button at the bottom.

This completes configuring the simulation.
|-
|| Point to '''Object Palette'''

click the '''Columns''' section.

Click and drag '''Shortcut Column''' to the flowsheet
|| Now let us add a '''Shortcut Column'''.

Go to the '''Column '''section in the '''Object Palette'''.

Scroll down a little to see '''Shortcut Column.'''

Drag and drop '''Shortcut Column '''to the flowsheet.
|-
|| Point to '''SCOL-1''' added to the flowsheet.
|| This is the '''Shortcut Column'''.

It has 3 material streams and 2 energy streams auto-connected to its connection ports.
|-
|| Point to material Stream '''1'''.
|| Material Stream named '''1''' enters the Shortcut Column as feed.
|-
|| Point to Material Stream '''2'''.
|| Material Stream named '''2''' leaves the Shortcut Column as Distillate.
|-
|| Point to Material Stream '''3'''.
|| Material Stream named '''3''' leaves the Shortcut Column as a Bottoms.
|-
|| Point to Energy Stream '''E1'''.
|| Energy Stream '''E1 '''acts as Condenser Duty.
|-
|| Point to Energy Stream '''E2'''.
|| Energy Stream '''E2''' acts as Reboiler Duty.
|-
|| Point to Shortcut Column '''SCOL-1'''.
|| Now, let us rename all the objects.
|-
|| Click '''1'''

Type '''SC-Feed''' to change the name of this stream'''.'''

Press Enter.
|| Click the '''Material Stream''' named '''1''' and rename it as '''SC-Feed.'''

Press '''Enter'''.

|-
|| Click '''2'''

Type '''SC-Distillate '''to change the name of this stream'''.'''

Press Enter.
|| Next, click the '''Material Stream''' named '''2 '''and rename it as '''SC-Distillate.'''

Press '''Enter'''.
|-
|| Click '''3'''

Type '''SC-Bottoms '''to change the name of this stream'''.

Press''' Enter'''.
|| Next, click the '''Material Stream''' named '''3 '''and rename it as '''SC-Bottoms.'''

Press '''Enter'''.
|-
|| Click '''E1'''

Type '''SC-C-Duty.'''

Press '''Enter'''.
|| Next, click the '''Energy Stream''' named '''E1 '''and rename it as '''SC-C-Duty.'''
|-
|| Click '''E2'''

Type '''SC-R-Duty.'''

Press '''Enter'''.
|| Next, click the '''Energy Stream''' named '''E2 ''' and rename it as '''SC-R-Duty.'''

'''Press Enter.'''
|-
|| Click '''SCOL-1'''

Type '''SColumn.'''

Press Enter.
|| Click the '''Shortcut Column''' named '''SCOL-1 '''and rename it as '''Scolumn.'''

Press '''Enter'''.
|-
|| Point to all the streams.
|| All our streams and the unit operation have been named.
|-
|| Hover Mouse at '''Feed'''.
|| Now, we will specify the '''Feed '''stream properties.
|-
|| Click on '''Feed.'''

Property editor window opens.
|| Now click the '''Feed'''.

Here, the property editor window opens.
|-
|| '''Input Data>> Stream Condition >>

Flash Spec>> '''Temperature and Pressure(TP)'''.
|| Under '''Input Data''', in '''Stream Conditions''' section, select '''Flash Spec''' as '''Temperature and Pressure (TP).'''

By default, '''Temperature and Pressure '''are already selected as '''Flash Spec.'''

So let’s not change it.
|-
|| '''Input Data >> Stream Condition

>> Temperature >> 92.5 C'''

Press '''Enter'''
|| Change '''Temperature''' to '''92.5 degree C''' and press '''Enter. '''
|-
|| '''Input Data >> Stream Condition

>> Pressure >> 1.2 bar'''

Press '''Enter'''
|| Change '''Pressure''' to '''1.2''' '''bar''' and press '''Enter'''.
|-
|| '''Point to Molar Flow Rate'''
|| Instead of the '''Overall Flow Rate''', we have the individual flow rate of components.

So, we will not specify anything here.
|-
||
|| Now, we will specify the component flow rates.
|-
|| '''Input Data >> Compound Amounts'''

'''Basis >> Mole Flows'''
|| To do this, click on '''Compound Amounts'''.

Choose the '''Basis''' as '''Mole Flows.'''
|-
|| '''Point to the Amount Table.'''

'''Benzene >> 800'''

'''Toluene >> 1200'''
|| Now, we will enter the Mole Flows for each compound.

Click the first cell below '''Amount''' against '''Benzene''' and enter 800. Press '''Enter'''.

Similarly, for '''Toluene''', enter it as 1200''' '''and press '''Enter.'''

We have entered all the values.
|-
|| Click the '''Accept Changes '''button
|| On the right, click the '''Accept Changes''' button.
|-
|| Click on '''SColumn (Shortcut Column). '''

'''Property Editor Window '''opens.
|| Now, we will configure the '''Shortcut Column'''.

To do this, click on '''SColumn.'''
|-
|| Point to the '''Property Editor Window''' on the left.
|| On the left, we see a tab displaying properties related to the '''SColumn.'''
|-
|| Hover Mouse on '''Connections'''.
|| Under '''Connections''', we can see that all the necessary material streams and energy streams are connected to the column.
|-
|| Hover mouse on '''Calculation Parameters'''
|| Now, go to the section '''Calculation Parameters '''by scrolling down.
|-
|| Click on drop-down arrow against '''Light Key Compound (LK)'''

Select''' Benzene.'''
|| Click the drop-down against '''Light Key Compound (LK)''' and select '''Benzene.'''
|-
|| Click the drop-down against '''Heavy Key Compound (HK). '''

Select '''Toluene.'''
|| Click the drop-down against '''Heavy Key Compound (HK) '''and select '''Toluene.'''
|-
|| Point to '''LK Mole Fraction in Bottom''' and

'''HK Mole Fraction in Distillate'''.
|| Next, we have to specify the '''LK '''mole fractions in the bottoms and the '''HK '''mole fractions in the distillate.
|-
|| Switch to slides

'''Slide Number 5'''

'''Problem Statement'''

Point to given '''Recovery %'''
|| Let me go back to the slides.

These mole fractions are not given directly in this problem statement.

Instead, percentage recovery of the components are given.

So, we will calculate mole fractions from the given recovery.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 6'''

'''Material Balance'''
|| The material balance calculation is demonstrated in this slide.

You can pause the video here for a minute and check the calculation.
|-
|| Switch to '''DWSIM'''

For '''LK Mole Fraction in Bottoms '''>> '''0.0067'''

Press '''Enter.'''
|| Let us go back to '''DWSIM'''.

Click the field against '''LK Mole Fraction in Bottoms '''and enter the value as 0.0067.

We have got this value from the material balance calculation shown earlier.

Press '''Enter.'''
|-
|| For '''HK Mole Fraction in Distillate '''>> '''0.0075'''

Press '''Enter.'''
|| Click the field against '''HK Mole Fraction in Distillate '''and enter the value as 0.0075.

We have got this value from the material balance calculation shown earlier.

Press '''Enter.'''
|-
|| Hover Mouse at '''Reflux Ratio'''.
|| Next is '''Reflux Ratio'''.

As per the problem statement, the '''Reflux Ratio''' should be 1.5 times the minimum.

Since, we don’t have the minimum '''reflux ratio''', we will leave it with the default value for now.
|-
|| Hover Mouse at '''Condenser Type'''.
|| Now go to '''Condenser Type.'''

By default, it is '''Total Condenser.'''

If a '''partial condenser''' is required, we can change it here.
|-
|| '''Condenser Pressure >> 1.2 bar'''

'''Press Enter'''

|| Click the field against '''Condenser Pressure''' and enter it as 1.2''' bar.'''

And press '''Enter.'''
|-
|| '''Reboiler Pressure >> 1.5 bar'''

'''Press Enter'''

|| Click the field against '''Reboiler Pressure''' and enter it as 1.5''' bar'''.

Then press '''Enter.'''
|-
|| Click''' Solve'''
|| This completes the problem specifications.

Click the '''Solve''' button in the toolbar area.
|-
|| Point to '''Messages''' at the bottom
|| Once the calculations are complete, we see an error message at the bottom.

In the error message, we see that the minimum Reflux ratio is 1.6834.

|-
|| Point to '''Messages''' at the bottom
|| Therefore the reflux ratio should be more than 1.6834.

However, as per the problem statement, the operating reflux should be 1.5 times the minimum.
|-
|| Click '''Reflux Ratio'''

'''Reflux Ratio '''>> '''1.5 * 1.6834'''

Press '''Enter'''
|| Click the field against '''Reflux Ratio.'''

Enter the value 1.5 multiply sign 1.6834''' '''and press '''Enter.'''

We can see that '''Reflux Ratio''' is calculated as 2.5251.
|-
|| Click''' Solve'''
|| This completes the problem specification.

Click the '''Solve''' button in the toolbar area.
|-
|| Click the '''SColumn'''
|| When calculations are completed, click the '''SColumn.'''
|-
|| Hover mouse at '''Results'''
|| From the '''Property Editor Window''', locate '''Results '''section.

This shows all the required results like:

'''Minimum Reflux Ratio'''

'''Minimum Number of Stages'''

'''Actual Number of Stages'''

'''Optimal Feed Stage'''

'''Condenser Duty, Reboiler Duty'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 7'''

'''Results'''
|| I have tabulated these results in a slide.
|-
|| Go to '''DWSIM'''

'''Insert >> Master Property Table '''
|| Now we will check the stream results.

For this, go back to '''DWSIM'''.

Go to the '''Insert '''menu and select '''Maste'''r '''Property Table.'''
|-
|| Double click on '''Master Property Table''' to edit it.
|| Double-click the''' Master Property Table''' to edit it.
|-
|| Point to '''Configure Master Property Table'''
|| '''Configure Master Property Table '''window opens.
|-
|| Type '''Streamwise Results'''
|| Enter Name as '''Streamwise Results.'''
|-
|| '''Object >> SC-Feed, SC-Distillate''' and '''SC-Bottoms.'''
|| Under '''Properties to display''', select '''Object '''as '''SC-Feed, SC-Distillate''' and '''SC-Bottoms.'''
|-
|| '''Configure Property Table>> Property '''
|| Under '''Property''', which is right beside the '''Object.'''

Now select the properties as:

'''Temperature'''

'''Pressure'''

'''Mass Flow'''

'''Molar Flow'''

'''Molar Fraction (Vapor)'''

'''Molar Fraction (Mixture) / Benzene'''

'''Molar Flow (Mixture) / Benzene'''

'''Molar Fraction (Mixture) / Toluene'''

'''Molar Flow (Mixture) / Toluene'''
|-
|| Close this window.
|| Close this window.

Move the '''Master Property Table '''for better visibility.

Now we can see the corresponding stream results for '''Shortcut Column.'''
|-
|| Click '''File '''and '''Save As >> '''File name = '''binary-shortcut'''
|| Let me save the file.

I will save it as '''binary-shortcut.'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 8'''

'''Important Points to Note'''
|| Let me make some important observations here.

* This '''Shortcut Column''' is based on '''Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland''' method.
* This column can be used for design of conventional distillation only.
* It cannot be used for design of non-conventional distillation like
** '''azeotropic''' distillation
** '''extractive''' distillation
** '''reactive''' distillation
|-
||
|| This brings us to the end of this tutorial.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 9'''

'''Summary'''

In this tutorial, we have learnt to:
* Design a '''Distillation Column''' for desired separation using '''Shorcut''' method
* Calculate '''Minimum Number of Stages'''
* Calculate '''Minimum Reflux Ratio'''
* Calculate '''Optimal Feed Stage Location'''
* Calculate '''Operating Reflux Ratio'''

|| Let us summarize.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 10'''

'''Assignment'''

Redo the material balance calculation for a different recovery.

Based on the mole fractions obtained from recovery, simulate the shortcut column.

Use reflux ratio equals to 1.3 times the minimum reflux.
|| As an assignment, please do the following:

|-
|| '''Slide Number 11'''

'''DWSIM Flowsheeting Project'''
|| We invite you to participate in '''DWSIM Flowsheeting Project'''.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 12'''

'''Lab Migration Project'''
|| We invite you to migrate commercial '''simulator labs''' to '''DWSIM.'''
|-
|| '''Slide Number 13'''

'''Acknowledgements'''
|| The '''FOSSEE''' project is funded by '''NMEICT, Ministry of Education(MoE)''', Government of India.
|-
|| '''Slide Number 14'''

'''Thanks'''
|| We thank the '''DWSIM''' team for making it as an''' open source software.
Thank you for joining.
|-
|}

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 '''Title Slide'''
-|| Welcome to this tutorial on simulating a '''Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture''' in '''DWSIM.'''
+|| Welcome to this tutorial on simulating a '''Shortcut Column for Binary Mixture''' in '''DWSIM'''.
 |-
 || '''Slide Number 2'''
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 '''System Requirements'''
-This tutorial is recorded using
+This tutorial is recorded using,
 * '''DWSIM version 9.0.2'''
 * '''Windows 11 OS'''
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
-'''Benzene''' and '''Toluene '''enter the column at this given flow rate, temperature, and pressure.
+'''Benzene''' and '''Toluene ''' enter the column at this given flow rate, temperature, and pressure.
 The condenser is operated at 1.2 '''bar''' pressure.
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 '''Added Property Package >> Peng- Robinson (PR)'''
-|| Now comes '''Property Packages.'''
+|| Now comes '''Property Packages'''.
 From the '''Available Property Packages''',
@@ Line 139: / Line 139: @@
 || The next option is the '''System of Units'''.
-We will''' '''select '''C5'''.
+We will select '''C5'''.
 '''C5''' has the desired system of units according to our problem statement.
@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 Scroll down a little to see '''Shortcut Column'''.
-Drag and drop '''Shortcut Column '''to the flowsheet.
+Drag and drop '''Shortcut Column ''' to the flowsheet.
 |-
 || Point to '''SCOL-1''' added to the flowsheet.
@@ Line 205: / Line 205: @@
 Press Enter.
-||Next, click the '''Material Stream''' named 2'''  and rename it as '''SC-Distillate.'''
+||Next, click the '''Material Stream''' named 2'''  and rename it as '''SC-Distillate'''.
 Press '''Enter'''.
@@ Line 229: / Line 229: @@
 ||  Next, click the '''Energy Stream E1 '''and rename it as '''SC-C-Duty'''.
-'''Press Enter.'''
+'''Press Enter'''.
 |-
@@ Line 248: / Line 248: @@
 '''Press Enter.'''
-|| Click the '''Shortcut Column''' named '''SCOL-1''' and rename it as '''SColumn.'''
+|| Click the '''Shortcut Column''' named '''SCOL-1''' and rename it as '''SColumn'''.
@@ Line 268: / Line 268: @@
 || '''Input Data>> Stream Condition >> Flash Spec>> Temperature and Pressure(TP)'''
-|| Under '''Input Data''', in '''Stream Conditions''' section, select '''Flash Spec''' as '''Temperature and Pressure (TP).'''
+|| Under '''Input Data''', in '''Stream Conditions''' section, select '''Flash Spec''' as '''Temperature and Pressure (TP)'''.
-By default, '''Temperature and Pressure''' are already selected as '''Flash Spec.'''
+By default, '''Temperature and Pressure''' are already selected as '''Flash Spec'''.
 So let’s not change it.
@@ Line 285: / Line 285: @@
 |-
 || '''Point to Molar Flow Rate'''
-|| Instead of the overall Flow Rate, we have the individual flow rate of components.
+|| Instead of the overall Flow Rate, we have the individual flow rate of the components.
 So, we will not specify anything here.
@@ Line 325: / Line 325: @@
 || Now, we will configure the Shortcut Column.
-To do this, click on '''SColumn.'''
+To do this, click on '''SColumn'''.
 |-
 || Point to the '''Property Editor Window''' on the left.
@@ Line 498: / Line 498: @@
 |-
 || Type '''Streamwise Results'''
-|| Enter Name as '''Streamwise Results.'''
+|| Enter the Name as '''Streamwise Results.'''
 |-
 || '''Object >> SC-Feed, SC-Distillate''' and '''SC-Bottoms.'''
@@ Line 538: / Line 538: @@
 || Let me save the file.
-I will save it as '''binary-shortcut.'''
+I will save it as '''binary-shortcut'''.
 |-
 || '''Slide Number 9'''
@@ Line 594: / Line 594: @@
 Use reflux ratio equals to 1.3 times the minimum reflux.
 || As an assignment, please do the following.
 |-