Distillation is the major separation method in indus-try, and its analysis brings together many important chemical engineering principles

component bal-ances, energy balances, heat transfer, and phase equilibrium. Distillation is a core subject in all chemical engineering edu-cational programs. The basic concepts can be very effectively conveyed by simple graphical methods, particularly in binary systems where McCabe-Thiele diagrams clearly demonstrate the effects of number of stages, reflux ratio, relative volatil-ity (pressure), and vapor-liquid phase nonideality. Many textbooks[2–7] covering distillation principles have appeared since the 1950 pioneering book by Robinson and Gilliland.[1] The examples used in introductory courses usually make many simplifying assumptions in order to not cloud the fundamental concepts. These include theoretical trays, total condenser with saturated liquid reflux and distillate, partial reboiler, and a single feed stream (either saturated liquid o