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Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2

Evaluation of the Rate of Evaporation, Boiling Point Rise of

NAOH Solution, and Heat Transfer Coefficient of a Semi-Batch
Reactor
Theresa Mendoza*, Jan Kenneth S. Pingol*, Rence Terrado*
Students, School of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biological Engineering, and Material Science &Engineering,
Mapa University, Intramuros, Manila

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Submitted 22 June 2017 Evaporation refers to the removal of liquid from a solution by heating
4th Term SY 2016-2017 the liquor in an appropriate vessel and withdrawing the vapor from the
CHE151-1L/T vessel. There are three types of evaporators continuous, batch and
Keywords: semi-batch. In this experiment, semi-batch evaporator is used. This
paper aims to evaluate the rate of evaporation and the boiling rate of
Vessels NAOH solution. It also aims to evaluate the heat transfer coefficient of
Liquor a semi-batch reactor. Data is collected at a certain time interval, and
Boiling rate the heat transfer coefficient is treated using numerous formulas which
Heat transfer coefficient can be seen in treatment of results while the BPR (Boiling Point Rise)
Boiling point rise for NAOH solution is be determined using the Dhring Chart. Results
Dhring Chart shows that the rate of evaporation decreases with time which is
contrary to the theory. A boiling point rise for NaOH solutionof 5 oC
was determined using the Dhring Chart and a computed average U
of 17.616 kJ/m2-K is computed.

1. Introduction There several methods of operations of

evaporators and one of these is the single-
Evaporation is the removal of solvent as a effect evaporators. A simplified diagram of
vapor from a solution, slurry, and suspension single-effect evaporator is shown in Figure
of solid in a liquid. Its objective is to 1.1.
concentrate a non-volatile solute, such as
organic compounds, inorganic salts, acids or
bases from the solvent.[1]
Evaporators have heat exchanger to boil the
solution with special provisions for
separation of liquid and vapor phases.
Industrial evaporators typically have tubular
heating surfaces. Figure 1.1 Schematic Diagram of Single-
Effect Evaporator

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Evaporation
Single-effect evaporators may be operated in
batch, semi-batch, or continuously. In this
experiment, semi-batch is used in which feed
is added continuously to maintain a constant
level until the entire charge reaches the
required product density. [2]
Most evaporators produce concentrated
liquor having a boiling point considerably
higher than that of pure solvent. This
phenomenon is called boiling point rise
(BPR). BPR occurs as the vapor pressure of a
solution, usually aqueous solution is less than
that of pure solvent at the same
temperature.[3]
For strong solutions, the BPE data is
estimated from an empirical rule known as
Dhring rule. This states that the boiling
1
point of a given solution is a linear function
2
of the boiling point of pure water at the same
pressure. Figure 1.2 shows the Duhring Plot
for sodium hydroxide solution.
Figure 1.2 Duhring Plot for NaOH
Solution [3]
The objectives of this experiment are to
evaluate the rate of evaporation and the
Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2
boiling point rise of NaOH solution as well as
the heat transfer coefficient of a semi-batch
evaporator.
2. Experimental
2.1 Preparation and Set-up
The set-up for this experiment, evaporation,
is shown in Figure 1.1. This includes the (1)
feed vessel, (2) evaporator, (3) lamp and (4)
condenser.
3
4
Figure 2.1 Experimental Set-up for
Evaporation
10 % by weight of Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH
solution is prepared by weighing 1 kg NaOH
pellets and 10 liters of water.
2.2 Evaporation Process
The vessel is filled with 10 liters NaOH
solution and the evaporator is turned on.
Then, the first valve is opened for the transfer
of liquid from the vessel to the evaporator,
then, pump is turned off. The lamp is
switched on to clearly see the water inside the
tank.
As the water is evaporating, flow rate of the
cooling water, temperature of the condensate,
evaporating liquid, and cooling water and
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Evaporation

volume of the condensate are recorded for determined by dividing the volume of the
every five minutes. Recording of data is done condensate collected by its time of collection.
for a total of six trials.
Table 3.1.1. Rate of Evaporation per trial
3.3 Treatment of Results Tri Time Rate of Evaporation
al (min) (L/min)
From the data collected, the values of several
1 5 0.018
parameters can be calculated. Initially,
2 10 0.01
evaporation rate is determined through
3 15 0.01
dividing the volume of the condensate by its 4 20 0.008
corresponding time. A plot of rate of 5 25 0.0068
evaporation versus time is established. 6 30 0.006166667
As for the BPR, this is just the difference
between the boiling points of NaOH solution
Conducting a graph for the rate of
and water.
evaporation vs time would be a better way to
The heat Q utilized for the solution to understand more the behavior of the
evaporate is determined by getting the sum of evaporator equipment.
latent heat QL and heat of vaporization QVAP.
0.02
The mentioned heat are calculated using 0.018
equations 1 and 2: 0.016
Evaporation Rate

0.014
= (Equation 1) 0.012
0.01
= ( ) (Equation 2) 0.008
0.006
Computation for the overall heat transfer 0.004
coefficient is done by treating the semi-batch 0.002
process as continuous since as the condensate 0
0 10 20 30 40
is collected, the volume of the solution
Time (min)
decreases. Overall heat transfer coefficient is
calculated using equation 1. Figure 3.1.1. Evaporation Rate vs Time Plot

= (Equation 3)

Ideally, the rate of evaporation increases as
3. Results and Discussion time increases. Experimentally, the rate of
3.1.1 Determination of Evaporation Rate evaporation decreases with time. The cause
of error maybe the defectiveness of the
Conducting a series of trials is important to equipment and/or human error such as
easily determine the evaporation rate and the recording the exact volume collected and the
BPR of NaOH and its factors affecting it. exact time elapsed.
Table 3.1 shows the data for this discussion
where the rate of evaporation can be easily

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Evaporation

3.1.2 Determination of Boiling-Point Rise of 3.2. Evaluation of Heat Transfer Coefficient

NaOH Solution of a Semi-Batch Evaporator
To know the BPR of NaOH solution, Evaluation of the overall heat transfer
Dhring plot, a graphical representation of coefficient of the evaporator comes from
such a relationship, typically with the pure utilizing the overall heat transfer equation
liquid's boiling point along the x-axis and the shown in equation 3. Using the derived
mixture's boiling point along the y-axis; each equations obtained from the laboratory
line of the graph represents a constant manual, certain parameters are solved to help
concentration, was utilized. See Figure 1.2 determine the overall heat transfer
for Dhring plot. coefficient. These parameters are shown in
Table 3.2.
Using the Dhring chart in Figure 1.2, the
value of the boiling point rise (BPR) for each Table 3.2 Calculated Values of U
trail was determined. This is also aided with Trial Q (kJ) U (kW/m^2-K)
the knowledge of the concentration of the 1 267.5763 9.917432655
NaOH solution which was specified to be 2 293.2818 12.56864543
10% by weight. The values of the boiling 3 439.0536 19.11438498
point temperature of the solution, the 4 468.9936 20.09880691
determined values of the boiling point 5 499.29068 21.06800624
temperature of water and the BPR for each 6 543.34574 22.92694797
trial in C are shown in table 3.1.2.
Table 3.1.2. BPR of NaOH Solution The computed average U is 17.616 kJ/m2-K.
Boiling Point Boiling Boiling The overall heat transfer coefficient
of Solution Point of Point Rise represents the total resistance to heat transfer
(C) Water (C) (C) from one fluid to another. Furthermore,
97 92 5 overall heat transfer coefficient is dependent
98 93 5 to some factors. In this experiment, as area
97 92 5 increases, U decreases. As T increases, the
97 92 5 value for U decreases and as Q increases, U
98 93 5 would increase. Simplifying, the overall heat
98 93 5 transfer coefficient is directly proportional to
Q (heat used to heat and evaporate solution)
and inversely proportional to change in
In most cases, the thermal properties of the
temperature and heat transfer area of the
solution being evaporated may differ
evaporator. To further understand the
considerably from those of water. The
behavior between the heat generated and the
concentrations of the solutions are high
overall mass coefficient, a graph was
enough that the heat capacity and boiling
conducted.
point are quite different from those of water
[3]
. As observed in Table 3.1.2, the results
obtained was accurate to most studies.

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Evaporation

25 used and inversely proportional to change in

temperature and heat transfer area of the
20
evaporator.
15
References:
U

10 [1] Geankoplis, C. J., Principles of Transport

5
Processes and Separation Processes, 2003.

0
[2] Gutierrez, C., & Ngo, R. (2005).
0 200 400 600 Chemical Engineering Laboratory Manual
Q Part 1. Mapua Institute of Technology.
Figure 3.2. Overall Heat Transfer [3] Perry, R. H., & Green, D. W. (2008).
Coefficient vs Heat Generated Plot Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook (8th
ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

4. Conclusion

This experiment focused on the

operation of a semi-batch evaporator. The
semi-batch evaporator was supposed to
concentrate a 10% NaOH solution. The
parameters that were supposed to be
determined were the rate of evaporation,
boiling point rise of the NaOH solution and
the heat transfer coefficient of the evaporator.
The rate of evaporation is affected by the feed
temperature. As the increase in temperature
of the feed, the more water or volatile
component can be evaporated and as a result
more condensate are recovered. Also, the rate
of evaporation is decreased with time but
theory suggests that rate of evaporation
increase due to the fact that there is an
increase in temperature. Secondly, the
boiling point rise of NaOH solution is
constant since boiling point of water was not
dependent on the amount of water present in
the solution as depicted by the Duhring plot.
The boiling point rise in this experiment is
5oC. Lastly, the computed average U is
17.616 kJ/m2-K. The overall heat transfer
coefficient is directly proportional to heat

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Appendix: Boiling point rise - the phenomenon that the

Keywords:
Vessels a hollow container, especially one
used to hold liquid, such as a bowl or cask.
boiling point of a liquid (a solvent) will be
higher when another compound is added,
meaning that a solution has a higher boiling
point than a pure solvent

Liquor - a liquid produced or used in a process
of some kind, in particular.
Heat transfer coefficient - a quantitative
characteristic of convective heat transfer
between a fluid medium (a fluid) and the surface
(wall) flowed over by the fluid.
Dhring Chart plot of a linear relationship
which exists between the temperatures at which
two solutions exert the same vapor pressure. The
rule is often used to compare a pure liquid and a
solution at a given concentration.

Appendix A.1. BPR of NAOH Solution

Boiling Point of Boiling Point of Enthalpy of Liquid Enthalpy of Water H for QL
Solution (C) Water (C) Water Vapor (kJ/kg)

97 92 385.316 2663.306 2277.99

98 93 389.524 2664.914 2275.39
97 92 385.316 2663.306 2277.99
97 92 385.316 2663.306 2277.99
98 93 389.524 2664.914 2275.39
98 93 389.524 2664.914 2275.39

Appendix A.2. Values of T, Qlatent, Qvap, Q

Trial T (C) QL, kJ Qv, kJ Q, kJ

1 74 239.69754 27.87876 267.5763

2 64 266.4914 26.7904 293.2818
3 63 399.4959 39.5577 439.0536
4 64 426.12896 42.86464 468.9936
5 65 453.03538 46.2553 499.29068
6 65 493.00909 50.33665 543.34574

Appendix B. Sample Calculations

Given Data:

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Duration per trial (min): 5 Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient

Density of Water (kg/L): 1
=
Atmospheric temperature (oC): 30
Heat transfer area (m2): 0.3646
=
Cp (kJ/kg-K): 4.186
267.58
=
Rate of Evaporation: (0.3646 2 )(74 )

=
= .

0.09
=
5

= .

Latent Heat

= ( )

= 0.09 / min(2663. 306 385.316)

= 239.70

Heat of Vaporization

= 0.09

min (4.186 ) (74 )

= 27.88

= +

= 239.70 + 27.88

= .

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