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Problems and Solutions
Chapter 11
Applications of Thermodynamics in Separation Technology

Textbook Examples:

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11.01          Separation Factor at Infinite Dilution for the System Acetone - Water From the Activity Coefficient at Infinite Dilution (p. 480)

11.02           Azeotropic Points in the Quaternary System Benzene - Cyclohexane - Acetone - Ethanol Using Mod. UNIFAC (p. 483)

Mathcad (2001) - Solution (zip)
Mathcad (2001) - Solution as XPS

11.03           Azeotropic Points in the Quaternary System Carbon Dioxide - Ethane - Hydrogen Sulfide - Propane Using VTPR (p. 484)

11.04           Residue Curves for Acetone – Benzene – Cyclohexane Using the Wilson Model (p. 487)

Mathcad (2001) - Solution (zip)
Excel VBA Ternary Plot
Mathcad (2001) - Solution as XPS

11.05           Effect of NMP on the Separation Factor of the Mixture Benzene – Cyclohexane Using mod. UNIFAC (p. 499)

Mathcad (2001) - Solution (zip)
Mathcad (2001) - Solution as XPS

Additional Problems:

P11.01        Effect of Different Entrainers on the Separation 1,3-Butadiene - 1-Butene Using Modified UNIFAC

For the separation of butadiene-1,3 from the C4-fraction of the steam cracker by extractive distillation various entrainers are used. Calculate the separation factor between butadiene-1,3 (x₁ = 0.25) and 1-butene (x₂ = 0.25)  at a temperature of 50°C using the mod. UNIFAC model to get an impression about the selectivity of the following entrainers (3): NMP, Acetonitrile, DMF  (x₃=0.5).

P11.02       Effect of NMP on the Separation Factor Between Benzene and Cyclohexane Using Wilson 

Check with the help of the Wilson equation, how the separation factor a₁₂ between benzene(1) and cyclohexane(2) is altered in the presence of 50 (70) mol-% NMP(3) at 60 °C.
Wilson parameters, molar volumes and vapor pressures of NMP at 60 °C:
                 Dl₁₃ = –205.34 K                Dl₃₁ = 414.16 K
                 Dl₂₃ = 321.30 K                  Dl₃₂ = 436.34 K
                      v₃ = 96.44 cm³ mol^–1          P₃^s= 0.47 kPa.
The additionally required Wilson parameters and pure component properties are given in Table 5.10 and in Appendix A respectively.

P11.03       Separation Factor Between Acetone and Water Using NRTL  

Calculate the separation factor for the system acetone (1 ) - water (2) for an acetone concentration of  x₁ = 0.95 at 50°C and at 1 atm with the help of the NRTL equation assuming ideal vapor phase behavior. Binary interaction parameters for NRTL can be found in Table 5.9. All other properties and parameters are given in Appendix A.

P11.04       Azeotropic Composition Benzene-Water From Vapor Pressure Data

In the free DDBSP Explorer Edition, search for all mixture data for the system benzene – water. Due to very limited miscibility in the liquid phase, the system shows heteroazeotropic behavior. Estimate the azeotropic composition using the vapor pressure correlations given in Appendix A and compare the results to the experimental data.