Ponchon-Savarit Method

The Ponchon-Savarit method is a graphical technique used to analyze binary distillation, especially when enthalpy effects (i.e., heat balances) are significant. Unlike the McCabe-Thiele method, it incorporates both material and energy balances directly into the construction of the diagram. This makes it ideal for systems with varying latent heats, non-ideal behavior, or heat integration requirements.

By plotting enthalpy-composition (H-x/y) data for both liquid and vapor phases, the method enables a more comprehensive and rigorous stage-by-stage analysis.

✅ What it can do:

• Account for non-constant molar overflow, energy balances, and enthalpy changes

• Handle both saturated and subcooled/feed vapor conditions (q-line integrated via enthalpy)

• Visualize enriching and stripping sections through energy-based stepping

❌ What it cannot do:

• Handle multi-component mixtures directly (limited to binary systems)

• Replace full rigorous process simulations (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS)

• Automatically optimize for cost or column diameter

• Incorporate detailed pressure-enthalpy (P-H) effects or real-fluid phase behavior

Below is an interactive simulator that allows you to experiment with the Ponchon-Savarit method. You can: 

• Adjust feed, distillate, and bottoms compositions

• Modify reflux ratio, feed quality, and Murphree efficiency

• Choose between equation-based enthalpy models or upload your own dataset

• See how each operating condition affects the number of theoretical stages

• Visualize every stage — with corrected enthalpy curves, tie lines, and operating points (D*, F, B*)

This is a powerful educational tool and design aid for Chemical Engineering students and practicing engineers. Use it to gain intuition, check hand-calculations, or preliminarily design your distillation system before turning to simulation software.