The feed is a binary mixture of acetone and water with an acetone molar fraction $$x_F$$ = 0.35. Acetone should be removed from the feed/raffinate phase by a multi-stage cross-current extraction at 303.15 K. Therefore, toluene is added as solvent to the first and the subsequent separation stages. The solvent-to-feed ratio in the first separation stage is $$\nu^1 = 1.5 \ \nu_{min}$$. The amount of substance of solvent added is constant at each stage. The raffinate stream leaving the last cross flow separation stage should contain not more than 5 mol % acetone ($$x^{lim}_R$$).
After extraction, the solvent is recycled and is therefore available in various purities.
Is it possible to achieve the required acetone fraction in the raffinate stream, if the acetone fraction in the solvent stream, which is added to the last separation stage, is larger than the target value of the raffinate stream ($$y_S > x^{lim}_R$$)?
Calculate the number of theoretical separation stages for various solvent purities using the app !
| | | $$n$$ |
| | $$y_S$$ = 0.00 |
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| | $$y_S$$ = 0.05 |
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| | $$y_S$$ = 0.10 |
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| | $$y_S$$ = 0.15 |
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| | $$y_S$$ = 0.20 |
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