In the manufacture of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from 2-butanol, the reactor products are precooled and then partially condensed in a shell and tube exchanger. A typical analysis of the stream entering the condenser is, mol fractions: MEK 0.47, unreacted alcohol 0.06, hydrogen 0.47. Only 85 per cent of the MEK and alcohol are condensed. The hydrogen is non-condensable.

The vapours enter the condenser at 125°C and the condensate and uncondensed material leave at 27°C. The condenser pressure is maintained at 1.1 bara. Make a preliminary design of this condenser, for a feed rate of 1500kg/h. Chilled water will be used as the coolant, at an inlet temperature of 10°C and allowable temperature rise of 30°C. Any of the physical properties of the components not available in Appendix C, or the general literature, should be estimated.