SAMPLE PROBLEM #12:

A still is charged with 25 mol of a mixture of benzene

and toluene containing 0.35 mole fraction benzene.
Feed of the same composition is supplied at a rate of 7
mol/h, and the heat rate is adjusted so that the liquid level in
the still remains constant. No liquid leaves the still pot, and 
= 2.5. How long will it be before the distillate composition
falls to 0.45 mole fraction benzene?
SOLUTION

condenser

F=7mol/h

D
L1 = 25 mol W,x =2.5 xD = 0.45
x1 = 0.35
Still pot

 at t = 0, x = 0.35
 at t = ?, y = xD = 0.45
 x = ? in equilibrium with y = 0.45
 y
x 
  y 1   
therefore ;
0.45
x  0.2466
2.5  0.45 1  2.5 

 modified Rayleigh equation:

dx
Fx F  W  DyD
dt
 at any time t: W = W0 & D = F

dx
Fx F  W0  Fy D  Fy
dt
rearranging:

F dx
dt 
W0 xF  y

substituting

x
y 
1  x    1

F dx
dt 
W0 x
xF 
1  x    1
substituting values :

x 0.2466

7 t ?
 dx
25 t 0
dt 
 2.5 x
x 0.35 0.35 
1  x 2.5  1

ANSWER : t = 2.14 h