EXAMPLES

7.1 A ternary liquid mixture consisting of 22 kg pyridina, 33 kg water and 45 kg

chlorobenzene is allowed to separate into the equilibrium raffinate and extract phases.
The raffinate phase weighted 40.13 kg and analysed 18.9 weight% pyridine, 0.4
weight% chlorobenzene and 80.7 weight% water.
(a) Determine the quantity and compositon of the extract phase by material balance.
(b) Estimate the selectivity of chlorobenzene for extraction of pyridine from water.
(c) Verify the applicability of the mixture rule (inverse-lever -arm rule) for this
separation.

7.2 Construct a triangular phase diagram for a ternary system made up of liquids
A, B and C from the experimental data given in the table below. Also plot the
distribution diagram from the system. Draw the tie line for the raffinate of
composition 25 weight% C. what is the composition of the B-rich phase in
equilibrium with this raffinate
The ternary equilibrium data in weight% are:
Raffinate phase, weight% Extact phase,weight%
A B C A B C
97 3 0 4 96 0
86 4 10 5 90 5
75 5 20 6 80 14
62 8 30 8 70 22
48 12 40 12 56 32
40 15 45 14 48 38
30 20 50 21 32 47
22 30 48 22 30 48

7.3 The ternary equilibrium data of the type-I system aniline (B) –
methylcyclohexane (C)– n-heptane (A) are given below. Use the data to construct
(a) The equilibrium diagram on triangular coordinates
(b)The Janecke diagram.
(c) On the janecke diagram draw the tie line passing through the raffinate of
composition 0.50 kg methylcyclohexane per kg of ( methylcyclohexane+n-heptane)
and estimate the composition in weight percent of the extract phase in equilibrium
with this raffinate.
Raffinate phase, weight fraction Extract phase,weight fraction
n-Heptane MCH Aniline n-Hepta MCH Aniline
0.9260 0.0000 0.0740 0.0620 0.0000 0.9380
0.8315 0.0914 0.0772 0.0599 0.0080 0.9321
0.7341 0.1858 0.0800 0.0530 0.0270 0.9200
0.6985 0.2194 0.0821 0.0511 0.0300 0.9190
0.5768 0.3373 0.0859 0.0450 0.0460 0.9089
 0.5068 0.4063 0.0869 0.0400 0.0600 0.9000
0.4505 0.4596 0.0900 0.0360 0.0740 0.8900
0.3074 0.5966 0.0960 0.0298 0.0980 0.8723
0.2286 0.6714 0.1000 0.0211 0.1132 0.8658
0.1823 0.7158 0.1019 0.0160 0.1269 0.8571
0.1604 0.7357 0.1039 0.0139 0.1310 0.8551
0.0541 0.8330 0.1128 0.0062 0.1559 0.8379
0.0000 0.8811 0.1189 0.0000 0.1689 0.8311

7.4 An aqueous solution containing 20 (weight)% of a valuable solute is subjected

to liquid−liquid extraction in a three-stages cross flow unit using a pure solvent. The
final raffinate should contain not more than 10% of the solute present in the original
feed. The equilibrium data under operating conditions are
Weight fraction of solute in aqueous layer 0.06 0.12 0.18 0.24
Weight fraction of solute in extract layer 0.24 0.40 0.56 0.73
Selectivity is infinity. If equal quantities of solvent are used in all the stages,
determine:
(a) Total quantity of solvent used per 1000kg feed
(b) Total quantity of extract obtained for conditions in part (a)
(c) The average composition of the combined extract
(d) The quantityof solvent required if the same recovery of the solute is to be
obtained by a single-stage.

7.5 A solution containing 20 weight% acetone in water is to be extracted at a rate

1000 kg/h with monochlorobeneze (MCB) containing 0.5% acetone by
countercurrent extration process. Monochlorobeneze and water are assumed
immiscible in the operating conditions. The equilibrium data for the system is given
below:
Kg acetone/kg water 0.0258 0.0739 0.1605 0.2670
kg acetone/kg MCB 0.0288 0.0704 0.1560 0.2370
If it is desired that the final raffinate contain 1% acetone, calculate:
(a) Minimum solvent rate
(b) Number of stages required if the solvent is used at a rate 1.25 times the
minimum.

7.6 The aqueous solution containing 1.0 weight% nicotine in water is extracted
using pure kerosene stream in a countercurrent multistage unit. The water and
kerosene are essentially immiscible in each other. It is desired to reduce the nicotine
content in the exit water to 0.10 weight%. The equilibrium data are as follows:
Weight fraction nicotine in water 0.001010 0.00246 0.005 0.00746 0.00988 0.0202
weight fraction, nicotine in kerosene 0.000806 0.001959 0.00454 0.00682 0.00904 0.0185
Determine the number of stages required (a) graphically and (b) by Kremser
equation. If a solvent rate 1.25 times the minimum is used.
 7.7 Five hundred kg of a solution containing 35 weight% acetic acid in water is
subjected to single-stage extraction with an equal weight of pure isopropyl ether.
Equilibrium data are given in the table below:
Water rich phase, weight% Ether rich phase, weight%
Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether
1.41 97.1 1.49 0.37 0.73 98.9
2.89 95.5 1.61 0.79 0.81 98.4
6.42 91.7 1.88 1.93 0.97 97.1
13.3 84.4 2.3 4.82 1.88 93.3
25.5 71.1 3.4 11.4 3.9 84.7
36.7 58.9 4.4 21.6 6.9 71.5
45.3 45.1 9.6 31.1 10.8 58.1
46.4 37.1 16.5 36.2 15.1 48.
Determine:
(a) The composition of the raffinate and extract products
(b) The amounts of raffinate and extract products
(c) The percent recovery of acetic acid
(d) The minimum quantity of solvent required for extraction

7.8 One thousand kg of mixture containing 40 weight% acetone in water is

extracted using methyl isobutyl ketone (MIK) as solvent. (a) What fraction of the
acetone can be extracted in a single-stage using 1000 kg pure MIK ? (b) What
fraction of the acetone could be extracted in a two-stage crosscurrent unit using 500
kg solvent in each stage? The miscibility data and the tie line data for the acetone-
water-MIK system are given below:
Miscibility data, weight fraction Tie line data, weight fractions of acetone
MIK Acetone water Raffinate Extract
0.98 0 0.02 0 0
0.932 0.046 0.022 0.025 0.045
0.773 0.8195 0.0375 0.055 0.1
0.71 0.244 0.046 0.075 0.135
0.655 0.289 0.056 0.1 0.175
0.547 0.376 0.077 0.125 0.213
0.462 0.432 0.106 0.15 0.255
0.124 0.427 0.449 0.175 0.282
0.0501 0.309 0.6409 0.2 0.312
0.0323 0.209 0.7587 0.225 0.34
0.0212 0.0373 0.9415 0.25 0.365
0.022 0 0.978 0.26 0.375

7.9 One thousand kilograms per hour of an aqueous solution containing 20.0
weight% acetone is being extercated in a cuntercurrent multistage unit using pure
methyl isobutyl ketone solvent so that the final raffinate contains 5.0 weight%
acetone. Use the Equilibrium data given in Example 7.8.
Calculate:
(a) The minimum solvent that can be used.
(b) The number of theoretical stages if a solvent rate 25% in excess of the
minimum is used.

7.10 An aqeous solution of ethylene glycol containing 30 weight% glycol is

extracted countercurrently with furfural to produce a raffinate product containing 5%
glycol on solvent-free ethylene glycol-water-furfural system at 298 K are:
Furfural Ethylene glycol Water Furfural Ethylene glycol Water
0.95 0 0.05 0.275 0.525 0.20
0.903 0.052 0.045 0.139 0.475 0.386
0.861 0.10 0.039 0.11 0.40 0.49
0.751 0.20 0.049 0.097 0.30 0.603
0.667 0.275 0.058 0.084 0.15 0.766
0.49 0.415 0.095 0.077 0 0.923
0.343 0.502 0.152
The tie line data for the system are:
Raffinate phase Extract phase
Furfural Glycol Water Furfural Glycol Water
0.08 0.073 0.847 0.926 0.025 0.049
0.083 0.15 0.767 0.904 0.052 0.044
0.088 0.2 0.712 0.894 0.062 0.044
0.097 0.3 0.603 0.882 0.075 0.043
0.11 0.4 0.49 0.86 0.1 0.04
0.139 0.475 0.386 0.803 0.15 0.047
0.251 0.515 0.234 0.751 0.2 0.049
0.277 0.525 0.198 0.665 0.275 0.06
0.414 0.415 0.171 0.414 0.415 0.171
Determine:
(a) he minimum amount of solvent required
(b) The number of theoretical stages when pure solvent is used at a rete 4000 kg/h

7.11 A solution containing 50 weight% n-heptane and 50 weight%

methylcyclohexane (MCH) is to be separated by extraction into products containing
90% MCH and 10.0% MCH, both on solvent-free basis. Aniline will be used as the
solvent. Assume that the extract product and the reflux are free of solvent.
Equilibrium data in weight fraction are:
Raffinate phase, weight fraction Extract phase, weight fraction
n-Heptane MCH Aniline n-Heptane MCH Aniline
0.9260 0.0000 0.0740 0.0620 0.0000 0.9380
0.8315 0.0914 0.0772 0.0599 0.0080 0.9321
0.7341 0.1858 0.0800 0.0530 0.0270 0.9200
0.6985 0.2194 0.0821 0.0511 0.0300 0.9190
0.5768 0.3373 0.0859 0.0450 0.0461 0.9089
0.5068 0.4063 0.0869 0.0400 0.0600 0.9000
0.4505 0.4596 0.0900 0.0360 0.0740 0.8900
0.3074 0.5966 0.0960 0.0298 0.0980 0.8723
0.2286 0.6714 0.1000 0.0211 0.1132 0.8658
0.1823 0.7158 0.1019 0.0160 0.1269 0.8571
0.1604 0.7357 0.1039 0.0139 0.1310 0.8551
0.0541 0.8330 0.1128 0.0062 0.1559 0.8379
0.0000 0.8811 0.1189 0.0000 0.1689 0.8311
Determine:
(a) The minimum number of theoretical stages
(b) Minimum extract reflux ratio
(c) The number of theoretical stages for a reflux ratio of 5.0

7.12 A valuable solute is being extracted in a packed column using a solvent

immiscible with the carrier liquid of the feed. The equilibrium relationship for the
distribution of solute between the immiscible phases is y =0.06x where x and y are
the mole fraction of solute in the raffinate and extract phases, respectively. The
terminal conditions are:
x 0.001 0.08
y 0.0 0.003
Determine:
(a) The number of transfer units based on the extract phase
(b) The height of packing, if the height of the transfer unit based on the extract side is
0.4 m.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

7.1 The most important characteristic of the liquids which determines the success
of the liquid
liquid extraction is
A. the difference in the density
B. the difference in the volatility
C. the difference in the solubility
D. the difference in the viscosity
Ans: C

7.2 Extraction is preferred method of separation for recovering penicillin from

fermentation broth because
A. extraction is low temperature operation
B. penicillin is an antibiotic and hence should be separated by extraction
 C. penicillin is non volatile
D. extraction is less expensive comparitive distillation
Ans: A

7.3 Distillation is a direct technique for separation, whereas extraction is not.Why?

A. Because the products of extraction operation require further purification
B. Because separation by extraction is achieved at relatively low temperatures
C. Because extraction requires make up solvent
D. Because solvent used for extraction is partially miscible with the feed
Ans: A

7.4 Referred to the equilateral triangular coordinates used for representing liquid
equilibria, which of the following is not true?
A. the vertices represent pure components
B. the binary mixture can be represented by a point lying on the side of the triangle.
C. the ternary mixture always lie in the dome shaped region formed by the binodal
curve.
D. the perpendicular distances from a point inside the triangle to the sides give the
concentration of the components in the ternary mixture
Ans: C

7.5 What is the composition of the ternary mixture represented by point P in the
following figure?

A. 20%A, 30%B, 50%C B. 30%A, 50%B, 20%C

C. 50%A, 20%B, 30%C D. 50%A, 30%B, 20%C
Ans: C

7.6 Points P,Q and R represent ternary mixtures on the equilateral triangle in such a
way that the line PQ is divided by R in the ratio PR:RQ=1:2; If Q = 50 kg, what is the
weight of the mixture R?
A. 50 kg B. 100 kg
C. 150 kg D. 200 kg
Ans: C

7.7 In the triangular diagram represented below for batch separation process, a
stream F is mixed with a solvent B to produce products R and E. Substance A is the
carrier liquid and C is the solute being extracted. The amounts of B and E are 1 kg
and 1.2 kg, respectively. The length FM is 3.1 and the length FB is 8.5 units on the
figure. The ratio R/E is estimated to be:
A. 1.285 B. 2
C. 0.751 D. 2.5

Ans: A

7.8 The solutropic systems are those in which

A. the direction of tie line slope remain unchanges
B. the direction of tie line slope changes with one tie line being horiontal
C. all tie lines are horiontal
D. none of the above
Ans: B

7.9 In extraction, which of the following can be treated as equivalent to heat in

distillation?
A. Raffinate B. Extract
C. Solvent D. Selectivity
Ans: C

7.10 If the distribution coefficient is less than unity,

A. separation by extraction is not possible
B. weight fraction of solute in the raffinate is greater than that in extract.
C. selectivity will be less than unity
D. slope of the distribution curve will be negative
Ans: B
7.11 Which of the following is not true with regard to the plait point in liquid
equilibria?
A. The raffinate and extract phases are indistinguishable at the plait point
B. The plait point lies at the peak of the binodal solubility curve
C. The tie line merges to a single point at the plait point
D. The distribution coefficient is unity at the plait point
Ans: B

7.12 For a ternary system at the plait point

A. The density diferrence between phases vanishes
B. The distribution coefficient is unity
C. The selectivity is unity
D. All of the above
Ans: D

7.13 In the liquid extraction involving ternary system, the number of degrees of
freedom at constant temperature and pressure is
A. four B. Three
C. two D. one
Ans: D

7.14 In the extraction of solute C from a amixture of A and C using solvent B, if A

and B are completely immiscible, the selectivity of solvent B for solute C is
A. infinity B. zero
C. unity D. Negative
Ans: A

7.15 The selectivity at the plait point

A. infinity B. zero
C. unity D. Negative
Ans: C

7.16 One hundered kg of a solution containing 50 weight% A and 50 weight% C is

mixed with a 75 kg solvent S containing 2 weight% C and the rest B 90 kg raffinate
of composition 54% A and 60% B is separated. Determine the selectivity of solvent B
for C
A. 10 B. 12
C. 8 D. 15
Ans: D

7.17 In the extraction of solute C from a mixture of A and C, pure solvent B which
is partially miscible with A is added to the feed and the immiscible phases are
separated. The raffinate phase analysed 80% A, 12% B and 8% C on weight basis and
the extract phase contains 78% B. If the distribution coefficient on weight basis is
1.5, what is the selectivity of solvent B to C?
A. 12 B. 8
C. 1 D.None of the above
Ans: A

7.18 The selectivity in extraction

A. is unaffected by change in temperature
B. increases with increase in temperature
C. decreases with increase in temperature
D. may incresse or decrease with temperature
Ans: C

7.19 For extraction involving type-I systems, the temperature should be

A. above the critical temperatures
B. above the critical solution temperature
C. below the critical solution temperature
D. between critical temperature and critical solution temperature
Ans: C

7.20 A mixture consists of 30 kg A, 50 kg B and 20 kg C. (A = carrier solvent in the

feed, B = extraction solvent, C = solute extracted). On the Janecke diagrams the
coordinates of the mixture point are:
A. x = 0.4, N =1 B. x=0.4, N = 0.60
C. x = 0.25, N =0.625 D. x=0.20, N = 0.50
Ans: A

7.21 At high.........the type-II system may exibit type-I behaviour.

A. temperature B. Pressure
C. solute concentration D. None of the above
Ans: A

7.22 A solvent with low interfacial tension leads to

A. easy coalescence and rapid disengagement of phases
B. formation of stable emulsions difficult to settele
C. easy separation by gravity
D. high rate of mass transfer
Ans: B

7.23 Which one of the is not desirable for an extraction solvent?

A. High selectivity for the solute
B. High solubility with carrier liquid
C. Low viscosity
D. High capacity for dissoving the solute.
Ans: B
7.24 500 kg feed containing 40% C is extracted with 400 kg pure solvent B. 600 kg
extract is formed analysing 25% C. The distribution coefficient corresponding to this
concentration is
A. 1.67 B. 1.25
C.0.25 D. 1.5
Ans: D

7.25 It is desired to reduse the concentration of pyridine in 500 kg of aqeous

solution from 20 weight% to 5 weight% in a single batch extraction using
chlorobenzene as solvent. Equilibrium compositions in terms of weight percent of
pyradine – water – chlorobenzene are (5,95,0) and (11,0,89). The amount of pure
solvent required in kg for the operation is
A. 607 B. 639
C.931 D. 1501
Ans: B

7.26 An ideal single – stage extraction process is used to treat 100 moles/s of an
organic feed solution. The solute concentration in the solution is to be reduced from
0.5 mole% to 0.1 mole%.
Apure solvent B is used. To reduce the solvent requirement by the half for the same
operation
A.add one more cocurrent stage
B. use another pure solvent whose partition coefficient is twice that of B
C. use solvent B containing 0.02 molefraction of solute.
D. double the residence time of the solvent B in contactor
Ans: B

7.27 In liquid – liquid extraction 10 kg of a solution containing 2 kg of solute C and

8 kg of solvent A is brought into contact with 10 kg of solvent B. Solvents A and B
are completely immiscible. The equilibrium relation is Y = 0.9X where Y is kg C/kg
and X is C by kg A. Choose the correct answer.
A. the entire amount of C is transferred to solvent
B. less than 2 kg but more than 1 kg of C is transferred to B
C. less than 1 kg of C is transferred to B
D. no amount of C is transferred to B
Ans: B

7.28 In counter current extraction, the maximum concentration of solute in the final
extract is
A. that of liquid in equilibrium with the feed
B. less than that of liquid in equilibrium with the feed
C. can be increased by using raffinate reflex
D. can not be increased by using extract reflex
Ans: A
7.29 For a given degree of separation using a given quantity of solvent, the number
of stages required in continuous counter current extraction is
A. less than the number of stages required in cross current extraction
B. more than the number of stages in cross current extraction
C. the same as that required for cross current extracction
D. equal to or greater than that in cross current extraction
Ans: A
7.30 The number of stages required for a continuous countercurrent unit for a given
extent of extraction
A. remains constant with change in solvent rate
B. remains constant with change in reflex ratio
C. will increase by increasing the solvent rate and reflex ratio
D. decrease with increase in solvent rate and reflex ratio
Ans: D

7.31 A 5 – stage countercurrent mixer – settler cascade achieves 90% recovery of

solute in certain extraction operation. If the same recovery is to be achieved even on
removing one of the stages from the cascade, which one of the following is to be
accepted?
A. reduce the solvent rate
B. increase the solvent rate
C. use the same solvent rate
D. not possible to achieve the recovery
Ans: B

7.32 A countercurrent extration column is designed to remove 99% of solute C from

a solution of solvent A and sollute C using pure solvent B. The initial concentration
of solute in the solution of A + C is 20 wt%, and the total flow of solution is 1000
kg/h. The equilibrium relation ship is Y = 0.50X, where X is mass of C/mass of A and
Y = mass of c/mass of B. The minimum florate of solvent B required (in kg/h) is
A. 1454 B. 1584
C. 1676 D. 1874
Ans: B

7.33 A countercurrent extraction column is designed to remove 99% of solute C

from a solution of solvent A and solute C using pure solvent B. The initial
concentration of solute in the solution of A+C IS 20 wt%, and the total flow of
solution is 1000 kg/h. The equilibrium relationship is Y=0.50X, where X is mass of
C/mass of A and Y=mass of C/mass of B. If the florate of B is 2400kg/h, then the
theoretical number of stages in the column, using Kremser equation (adjusted to the
next integer) is
A. 5 B. 9
C. 11 D. 13
Ans: B
7.34 In a single stage extraction process, 10 kg of pure solvent S (containing no
solute C) is mixed with 30 kg of feed F containing C at a mass fraction xF = 0.2. the
mixture splits into an extract phase E and a raffinate phase R, containg C at yE =0.5
and xR =0.05respectively. The total mass of the extract phase is ( in kg )
A. 6.89 B. 8.89
C. 10 D.8.25
Ans: B

7.35 Compound C is extracted from an equimolar solution of A + C in to a pure

solvent B. A cocurrent unit is used for the liquid-liquid extraction. The inlet rate of
the solution containining C is 200 moles of A/h m2 and the solvent flow rate is 400
moles of B / h m2 . The equilibrium data is represented by X = 3 Y2 , where Y is in
moles of C/moles of B and X is in moles of C/moles of A.
The maximum percentage extraction achieved in the unit is
A. 25% B. 50%
C. 67% D. 90%
Ans: C

7.36 For handling liquids of any viscosity, the extractors preferred are:
A. Mixer-settlers B. Packed columns
C. Spray columns D. Sieve-plate columns
Ans: A

7.37 Extractors most suitable for handling the liquids that show a tendency to foul
or clog are:
A. Mixer-settlers B. Packed columns
C. Spray columns D. Sieve-plate columns
Ans: C

7.38 Axial dispersion is a serious limitation of

A. mixer-settlers B. Packed columns
C. spray columns D. Sieve-plate columns
Ans: C

7.39 For highly corrosive or radioactive liquids, the extractors preferred are:
A. Pulsed columns B. Rotary impeller columns
C. Tray columns D. Mixer-settlers
Ans: A

7.40 Which of the following extractors can handle slurries of solids?

A. Mixer-settlers B. Plate towers
C. Packed columns D. Karr extractor
Ans: D

7.41 For systems that emulsify easily or have small density difference or large
interfacial tensions, the most suitable extractors are:
A. Mixer-settlers B. Centrifugal extractors
C. Static columns D. Pulse columns
Ans: B

7.42 Which of the following is preferred for antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals
because of their low holdup ?
A. Scheibel extractor B. Karr extractor
C. Podbielniak extractor D. Rotating disc contactor
Ans: C

EXERCISES
7.1 One hundred kg of a mixture consisting of water, acetic acid and isopropyl
ether containing 10% acetic acid by weight separates into a raffinate of composition
xC=0.133, xA=0.844, xB=0.023 and an extract of composition yC=0.048, yA=0.019,
yB=0.933.Detrmine the amounts of extract of raffinate .
[Ans:Raffinate=61.18 kg, Extract=38.82 kg]

7.2 One hundred kg of a mixture consisting of 30.0 weight% A, 30.0 weight% B

and 40 weight% C is allowed to separate into an A-rich phase and a B-rich phase.
The A-rich phase weighed 30 kg and analysed 80.0 weight% A,10.0 weight% B and
10.0 weight% C.Using the mixture rule determine graphically the composition of the
B-rich phase and compare with the result obtained by solute balance.
[Ans:A=8.57%, B=38.57%, C=52.86%]

7.3 Construct a triangular phase diagram for a ternary system made up of liquids
A,B and C form the experimenta data given in the table below. Also plot the
distribution diagram for the system. What is the composition of the B-rich phase in
equilibrium with a raffinate solution containing 25% by weight C?
Raffinate phase,weight% Extract phase,weight%
A B C A B C
97 3 0 4 96 0
86 4 10 5 90 5
75 5 20 6 80 14
62 8 30 8 70 22
48 12 40 12 56 32
40 15 45 14 48 38
30 20 50 21 32 47
22 30 48 22 30 48
[Ans:18%C,75%B and 7%A]

7.4 A mixture consisting of 10kg acetic acid (C), 50 kg water (A) and 40 kg
isopropyl ether (B) is allowed to separate into raffinate and extract phases which are
in equilibrium. The equilibrium data for the system Acetic acid – water – Isopropyl
ether at 298 K, 101.3 kPa.
Water-rich phase,weight% Ether-rich phase,weight%
Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether
1.41 97.1 1.49 0.37 0.73 98.9
2.89 95.5 1.61 0.79 0.81 98.4
6.42 91.7 1.88 1.93 0.97 97.1
13.3 84.4 2.3 4.82 1.88 93.3
25.5 71.1 3.4 11.4 3.9 84.7
36.7 58.9 4.4 21.6 6.9 71.5
45.3 45.1 9.6 31.1 10.8 58.1
46.4 37.1 16.5 36.2 15.1 48.7
Determine the compositions of the equilidrium phases.
[Ans:Raffinate: 84.4% Water, 13.3% Acetic acid and 2.3% Isopropyl ether
Extract: 1.88% Water, 4.82% Acetic acid and 93.3% Isopropyl ether]

7.5 Construct a triangular phase diagram for the system water-isopropyl ether
-acetic acid at 298 K from the experimental data given in Exercise 7.4. Use the
diagram to determine: (a) the concentration of water and ether in an aqueous layer
containing 20% by mass acetic acid. (b) The composition of ether layer in
equilibrium with it. (c) the minimum amount of acetic acid required to make the
partially miscible system consisting of 4 kg ether and 6 kg water, homogeneous.
[Ans: (a) water=77.1%, ether=2.9% (b)
water=2.9%, ether=88.8%, acetic acid=8.3% (c) 8.1 kg]

7.6 An aqueous solution of pyridine is treated with chlorobeneze for extraction of

pyridine. If the extract and raffinate phases have the following compositions at
equilibrium, calculate the selectivity of the solvent for pyridine.
Raffinate,weight% Extract weight%
Pyridine Chlorobenzene Pyridine Chlorobenzene
11.1 0.24 19.0 79.9
45.0 4.2 35.1 61.0
[Ans: 136.7, 10.2]

7.7 Ternary equilibrium data for the system pyridine-water-chlorobenzene are

given below in weight percent:
Extract phase Raffinate phase
Water Chlorobenzene Pyridine Water Chlorobenzene Pyridine
0.05 99.95 0 99.92 0.08 0
0.67 88.28 11.05 94.82 0.16 5.02
1.15 79.9 18.95 88.71 0.24 11.05
1.62 74.28 24.1 80.72 0.38 18.9
 2.25 69.15 28.6 73.92 0.58 25.5
2.87 65.58 31.55 62.05 1.85 36.1
3.95 61 35.05 50.87 4.18 44.95
6.4 53 40.6 37.9 8.9 53.2
13.2 37.8 49 13.2 37.8 49
Compute the selectivity of chlorobenzene for pyridine for each of the tie line data and
plot the selectivity as a function of the solute concentration in the raffinate phase.
[Ans:
X 0 0.0502 0.1105 0.189 0.255 0.361 0.4495 0.532 0.49
β ∞ 311.52 132.29 63.54 36.85 18.90 10.04 4.52 1

Immiscible systems: Crosscurrent extration

7.8 Show that in a crosscurrent extraction unit where the liquids A and B are
immiscible, the number of cross-current stages is given by
XN
log ( )
XF
N= here XN= XN ,XF=XF
A
log ( )
A+ Bm
where X and Y are the mass ratio of solute present in the raffinite and extract and m
is the distribution coeffecient given by Y=mX.

7.9 Nicotine in the water solution containing 1% nicotine is to be extracted with

kerosene at 293 K. Water and kerosene are essentially insoluable. Euilibrium data
expressed as kg nicotine / kg liquid are as follows:
Weight fraction nicotine in water 0.001010 0.00246 0.005 0.00746 0.00988 0.0202
Weight fraction nicotine in kerosene 0.000806 0.001959 0.00454 0.00682 0.00904 0.0185
(a) Determime the percentage extraction of nicotine if 100 kg of feed solution is
extracted in a single stage operation using 150 kg solvent. (b) What would be the
percentage extraction if three theoretical stages are used with 50 kg solvent in each
stage?
[Ans : (a) 57.23% (b) 67.43%]
7.10 An aqueous solution of a valuable solute with an intial concentration of 15
weight% of solute is subjected to liquid-liquid extraction in a three-stage cross flow
unit using a pure solvent. The final raffinate should contain not more than 10% of the
solute percentage in the original feed. The equilibrium data under operating
conditions are
Weight fraction of solute in aqueous layer 0.06 0.12 0.18 0.24
Weight fraction of solute in extract layer 0.24 0.40 0.56 0.73
Selectivity is infinity. If equal quantities of solvent are used in an all stages,
determine:
(a) Total quantity of solvent used per 1000 kg feed.
(b) Total quantity of extract obtained in part (a).
(c) The average composition of the combined extract.
[Ans: (a) 616 kg (b) 715 kg (c) 18 % solute ]
7.11 Benzene is used as solvent to recover the dioxane from its aqueous solution by
liquid extraction. The equilibrium distribution of dioxane between water and benzene
at 298 K given below:
Dioxane in water layer, weight% 5.1 18.9 25.2
Dioxane in benzene layer, weight% 5.2 22.5 32.0
1000 kg of 25 weight% by weight aqueous solution of dioxane is to be treated with
benzene to recover 90% of the dioxane. Calculate the quantity of solvent to be used
in two stages crosscurrent cascade system if dioxane-free solvent is used in equal
quantities in both stages.
[Ans: 2949.1 kg ]

7.12 A 10 weight% solution of acetic acid in water is to be extracted with isopropyl

ether which is nearly immiscible with water. How many crosscurrent stages will be
required to reduce the concentration of acid to 2% if the ratio of the solution to
solvent in each stage is 0.5. The following equilibrium data may be used.
kg acid/kg water 0.0197 0.04 0.0827 0.1290 0.1790
kg acid/kg ether 0.00493 0.0103 0.0227 0.0379 0.0558
[Ans: 4 stages]

7.13 A solution of 5% acetaldehyde in toulene is to be extracted with water in a 4-

stage crosscurrent unit using 25 kg water in each stage for 100 kg feed. The
equilibrium relation is Y=2.2X where Y is kg acetaldehyde/kg water and X is kg
acetaldehyde per kg toulene. Determine:
(a) The percentage recovery of acetaldehyde.
(b) The final raffinate concentration.
[Ans: (a) 83.85% (b) 0.84% acetaldehyde, 99.16% toulene]

7.14 A binary solution containing 10% by weight solute C dissolved in a carrier A is

fed to a three-stage countercurrent extraction unit at a rate of 1000 kg/h. Pure solvent
B is used for extraction at rate 800 kg/h. Determine:
(a) The composition of the final raffinate.
(b) The composition of the final raffinate, if the same total quantity of solvent used in
equal amounts in a three stage crosscurrent unit. The equilibrium data are:
kg C/kg A 0.05 0.10 0.15
kg C/kg B 0.069 0.159 0.258
[Ans: (a) 1.85% C (b) 3.7% C]

Immiscible systems: countercurrent extraction

7.15 One thousand kg/h of nicotine-water solution containing 1.5 weight % nicotine
is extracted with 2000 kg/h kerosene solution containing 0.05 weight% nicotine in a
countercurrent multistage unit to reduce the nicotine content to 10% of the original
value. Calculate the number of stages required both graphically and using kremser
equations.
Weight fraction, nicotine in water 0.001010 0.00246 0.005 0.00746 0.00988 0.0202
Weight fraction, nicotine in kerosene 0.000806 0.001959 0.00454 0.00682 0.00904 0.0185
[Ans: Graphical: 3.6, Kremser: 3.2]

7.16 One thousand kg/h of an aqueous solution of dioxane containing 25 weight%

dioxane is subjected to continuous countercurrent extraction with benzene to remove
95% of the dioxane. Equilibrium distribution of dioxane between benzene and
kerosene are as given below:
Weight% of dioxane in water 5.1 18.9 25.2
Weight% of dioxane in benzene 5.2 22.5 32.0
Determine:
(a) Minimum solvent requirement in kg/h.
(b) The number of stages required if 900 kg/h of solvent is used for extraction.
[Ans: (a) 562 kg (b) 5.75]

7.17 An aqueous solution having a solute concentration of 0.1 kg/kg water is treated
at a rate of 990 kg/h with 600 kg/h of pure immiscible organic solvent in a 2-stage
mixture-settler system. If the organic and aqueous streams leaving each stage are in
equilibrium such that Y=2X, calculate the kg solute extracted per kg solvent if
countercurrent operation is employed. Solve graphically and by using Kremser
equation. (X=kg solute in aqueous phase / kg water, Y=kg solute in organic phase /
kg solvent)
[Ans: 75.8 %(graphical), 75.7%(Kremser)]

7.18 To recvover and antibiotic from its solution with amyl acetate, pure water is
used at a rate of 0.45 kg / kg of acetate in a countercurrent unit. If the distribution
coeffecient is 6.67 for the separation, how many ideal stages would be neede for 98%
recovery of the antibiotic? Use the Kremser equation.
[Ans: 3.2 stages]

7.19 An aqueous solution containing 1.0 weight% nicotine in water is extracted at a

rate of 100 kg/h using a kerosene containing 0.05 weight% nicotine in countercurrent
multistage unit. The water and the kerosene are essentially immiscible in each other.It
is desired to reduce the nicotine content in the exit water to 0.10 weight%. The
equilibrium data are as follows:
Weight fraction, nicotine in water 0.001010 0.00246 0.005 0.00746 0.00988 0.0202
Weight fraction, nicotine in kerosene 0.000806 0.001959 0.00454 0.00682 0.00904 0.0185
Determine:
(a) The minimum solvent required.
(b) The number of stages required graphically and by Kremser equation if a solvent
rate 1.25 times the minimum rate is used.
[Ans: (a) 103.6 kg (b) 8(Graphical), 7.95(Kremser)]

7.20 A solution containing 18 weight% acetone is water is to be extracted at a rate

 of 1000 kg/h with monochlorobenzene containing 0.5% acetone by countercurrent
extraction process. Monochlorobenzene and water are immiscible in the operating
condition. The equilibrium data for the system is given below:
Kg acetone/kg water 0.0258 0.0739 0.1605 0.2670
Kg acetone/kg MCB 0.0288 0.0704 0.1560 0.2370
In order to obtain raffinate 1% acetone content ,calculate (a) Minimum solvent rate
(b) Number of stages required with solvent rate 1.2 times the minimum.
[Ans: (a) 885.1 kg (b) 9]

7.21 Determine the number of theoretical stages required to extract nicotine from
100 kg/h of nicotine-keroosene solution containing 1.5 weight% nicotine using pure
water at rate of 1.5 times the minimum in a countercurrent multistage unit, if it
desired to remove 90% of the nicotine. The equilibrium distribution of nicotine in
water and kerosene are as follows:
Weight fraction, nicotine in water 0.001010 0.00246 0.005 0.00746 0.00988 0.0202
Weight fraction, nicotine in kerosene 0.000806 0.001959 0.00454 0.00682 0.00904 0.0185
[Ans: 4 stages]

7.22 One thousand kg/h af an organic product containing 5.0 weight% of a water-
soluable impurity is extracted with water to remove the impurity. Assume that water
and the organic product are immiscible. It is found that on extraction with an equal
amount of water in a single stage process, 90% of the impurity is extracted.
Determine:
(a) The amount of water neede for a 90% removal of impurity in a two-stage
countercurrent extraction unit. (b) The fraction of impurity removed, if a water-to-
feed ratio of unity on mass basis is employed in a two-stage countercurrent unit.
[Ans: (a) 282.65 kg (b) 98.9%]

Partially miscible systems:Single-stage extraction

7.23 Five hundred kg of a solution containing 35 weight% acetic acid in water is
subjected to single-stage extraction with an equal weight of pure isopropyl ether.
Determine:
(a) The composition of the raffinate and extract products.
(b) The amounts of raffinate and extract products.
(c) The percent recovery of acetic acid.
Equilibrium data are given below:
Water-rich phase,weight% Ether-rich phase,weight%
Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether Acetic acid Water Isopropyl ether
1.41 97.1 1.49 0.37 0.73 98.9
2.89 95.5 1.61 0.79 0.81 98.4
6.42 91.7 1.88 1.93 0.97 97.1
13.3 84.4 2.3 4.82 1.88 93.3
25.5 71.1 3.4 11.4 3.9 84.7
36.7 58.9 4.4 21.6 6.9 71.5
45.3 45.1 9.6 31.1 10.8 58.1
46.4 37.1 16.5 36.2 15.1 48.7
[Ans: (a) x=25.1% acetic acid, y=11.6% acetic acid
(b) R=437 kg, E=563 kg (c) 37.3%]

7.24 A mixture consisting of, 40 kg acetic acid (C), 110 kg water (A) and 50 kg
isopropyl ether (B) is allowed to separate into raffinate and extract phases which are
in equilibrium. Determine the amounts and compositions of the raffinate and extract
layers. Use the equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.23.
[Ans: Raffinate: 149.6 kg, xC=0.232, xB=0.032, xA=0.736
Extarct: 50.4 kg, yC=0.105, yB=0.860, yA=0.035]

7.25 Three hundred kg of a mixture M of unknoen composition containing water,

acetic acid and isopropyl ether is mixed with 100 kg of another mixture containing
20% acetic acid, 15% water, and 65% isopropyl ether. The resulting raffinate layer
weighs 510 kg and contains 25% acetic acid, 71.6% water, and 3.4% isopropyl ether.
All percentages are weight%. Use the equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.23.
Determine:
(a) The original composition if the mixture M.
(b) The composition of the extract.
[Ans: (a) Acetic acid = 5.1%, water = 81.2%, Isopropyl ether = 13.7%
(b)Acetic acid = 11.1%, water = 3.6%, Isopropyl ether = 85.3%]

7.26 One hundred kg of a solution consisting of 50 weight% trimethylamine(TMA)

and 50 weight% benzene is extracted with water in a single stage operation to
produce a solvent-free extract containing 80% TMA. Determine:
(a) The composition of saturated extract and raffinate products.
(b) The quantities of saturated raffinate and extract products.
(c) The quantity of solvent free extract products.
(d) The quantity of solvent required for extraction.
The equilibrium miscibility data for the system are
Trymethylamine, Extract,weight% Raffinate,weight%
weight% Water Benzene Water Benzene
5 94.6 0.4 0 95
10 89.4 0.6 0 90
15 84 1 1 84
20 78 2 2 78
25 72 3 4 71
30 66.4 3.6 7 63
35 58 7 15 50
40 47 13 34 26
The tie line data are
 Weight% TMA in raffinate 31 14.5 9 6.8 3.5
Weight% TMA in extract 39.5 21.5 13 8.3 4
[Ans: (a) Raffinate: 28.2% TMA,5.9% water; Extract; 36.5% TMA,54.6% water,
(b) R = 63.83 kg, E=87.67 kg, (c) E' = 39.8 kg (d) S= 51.5 kg]

7.27 One thousand kg of a mixture of liquids A and C containing 30% C is

extracted with a solvent B to recover component C. The equilibrium data at the
temparature of extraction are:
Raffinate phase Extact phase
A B C A B C
97 3 0 4 96 0
86 4 10 5 90 5
75 5 20 6 80 14
62 8 30 8 70 22
48 12 40 12 56 32
40 15 45 14 48 38
30 20 50 21 32 47
22 30 48 22 30 48
Calculate (a) The minimum amount of solvent (b) The maximum amount of solvent
(c) the weight of solvent-free extract and raffinate and the percentage of C Extracted
in a single stage extraction with 750 kg solvent (d) If it is desired to produce a
solvent free extract product containing 60.0% C determine the quantity of solvent to
be used and the composition of the raffinate product on solvent-free basis.
[Ans: (a) 83 kg (b) 15300 kg (c) R' = 820 kg, E' = 180 kg, 41.7%
(d) S = 2871 kg , 12.4% C, 87.6% A]

7.28 Determine the amounts and compositions of the raffinate and extract products
that results from a single-stage extraction operation when a feed mixture weighing
1000 kg and containing 30 weight% acetone and 70 weight% water is treated with
500 kg methylisobutyl ketone (MIK). Solubility data are:
MIK Acetone Water MIK Acetone Water
98 0 2 46.2 43.2 10.6
93.2 4.6 2.2 12.4 42.7 44.9
77.3 18.95 3.75 5.01 30.9 64.09
71 24.4 4.6 3.23 20.9 75.87
65.5 28.9 5.6 2.12 3.73 94.15
54.7 37.6 7.7 2.2 0 97.8
The line data:
Weight% acetone, water phase 2.5 5.5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5 20 22.5 25 26
Weight% acetone MIK phase 4.5 10 13.5 17.5 21.3 25.5 28.2 31.2 34 36.5 37.5
[Ans: Raffinate: 814 kg; Actone: 15.13%, MIK: 3.03%, water: 81.84%;
Extract: 685.92 kg; Actone: 25.78%, MIK: 69.24%, water: 4.98%]
7.29 One hundred kg of a solution of acetic acid in water containing 30% acis is to
be extracted with isopropyl ether at 293 K. Use the equilibrium data given in Exercise
7.23. Calculte (a) the minimum quantity of solvent (b) The composition and
quantities of the extract and raffinate products when the solution is treated with 100
kg of solvent (c) The amounts of solvent-free extract and raffinate products for part
(b).
[Ans: (a) 4.3 kg (b) Raffinate: 88.8 kg, 21.9% acetic acid, 3.1% ether;
Extract: 111.2 kg, 9.49% acetic acid, 87.2% ether (c) R' = 86.0 kg E' = 14.0 kg]

Partially miscible systems: Crosscurrent extraction

7.30 A mixture containing 40 weight% acetone in water is extracted with an equal

amount of MIK containing 1% acetone. (a) What fraction of the acetone can be
extracted in a single-stage process? (b) What fraction of the acetone could be
extracted in a two -stage crosscurrent unit using equal quantities in both stages? Use
the equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.28.
[Ans: (a) 79.1% (b) 88.5%]

7.31 It is to reduce the pyridine concentration of 2000 kg of an aqueous solution

from 50 to 10% in a single batch extraction with chloobenzene. The equilibrium data
in weight percent are given below:
Extract phase Raffinate phase
Water Chlorobenzene pyridine Water Chlorobenzene pyridine
0.05 99.95 0 99.92 0.08 0
0.67 88.28 11.05 94.82 0.16 5.02
1.15 79.9 18.95 88.71 0.24 11.05
1.62 74.28 24.1 80.72 0.38 18.9
2.25 69.15 28.6 73.92 0.58 25.5
2.87 65.58 31.55 62.05 1.85 36.1
3.95 61 35.05 50.87 4.18 44.95
6.4 53 40.06 37.9 8.9 53.2
13.2 37.8 49 13.2 37.8 49
Determine:
(a) The quantity of solvent required.
(b) The amount of raffinate and extract products.
(c) The composition of raffinate and extract products.
[Ans: (a) 4200 kg (b) R = 1063.9 kg, E = 5135.7 kg (c) Raffinate: 10% pyridine, 20%
chlorobenzene; Extract: 17.4% pyridine, 81.7% chlorobenzene]

7.32 One thousand kg of a mixture of liquids A ans C containing 30 weight% C is

extracted twice with a total quantity of 750 kg B in two equal amounts. Use the
equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.27. Determine the composition of final raffinate
and percent of C extracted.
[Ans: Raffinate 860 kg, 19.26% C, 5.02% B; Percent extraction: 43.9%]
7.33 Calculate the amount of raffinate product , acetic acid concentration in it and
the percent recovery of acetic acid if 1000 kg of a feed solution containing 25 weight
% acid in isopropyl ether is extracted using pure water in
(a) a single stage process using 1000 kg of water.
(b) a four-stage crosscurrent unit using 250nkg fresh water in each stage.
Also calculate weight% of acetic acid in the combined extract in part (b).
Use the equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.23.
[Ans: (a) 759 kg, 16.13% acetic acid, recovery = 51%
(b)690 kg, 2.3% acetic acid, recovery = 93.7%]

7.34 A pyridine-water solution containing 50% pyridine is to be extracted in a

multistage crosscurrent unit with chlorobenzene as solvent to reduce the pyridine
content to less than 10% in the final raffinate. Feed is admitted at a rate 2000 kg/h to
the first stage and the quantity of solvent admitted to each stage equals the amount of
feed to that stage. Use the equilibrium data given in Exercise 7.31. Determine:
(a) The number of theoretical stages required
(b) The concentration of the final raffinate
(c) The quantity of solvent, kg/h
[Ans: (a) 2 stages, (b) 7.12% pyridine (c) 3199 kg]

Partially miscible systems: Countercurrent extraction

7.35 The equilibrium solubility data of acetone-water-1,1,2-dichloroethane system
are given below. An aqueous solution containing 40 weight% acetone is treated with
an equal weight of pure trichloroethane to produce a final raffinate containing 10%
acetone and solvent-free basis in a countercurrent unit. The equilibrium data in
weight % are given below:
Water layer,weight% Trichloroethane layer,weight%
Trichloroethane Water Acetone Trichloroethane Water Acetone
0.52 3.52 5.96 90.93 0.32 8.75
0.73 82.23 17.04 73.76 1.1 25.14
1.02 72.06 26.92 59.21 2.27 38.52
1.17 67.95 30.88 53.92 3.11 42.97
1.6 62.67 35.73 47.53 4.26 48.21
2.1 57 40.9 40 6.05 53.95
3.75 50.2 46.05 33.7 8.9 57.4
6.52 41.7 51.78 26.26 13.4 60.34
Determine (a) The final extract composition (b) The location of the difference point
analytically. (c) Derive an equation for the operating line passing through the
difference point and the saturated raffinate containing 25% acetone on the right
triangular coordinate system.
[Ans: (a) 24.65% acetone, 74.4% TCE, (b) the coordinates of the
difference point are:(xC=2.8222,xB=-0.1822), (c) y=-0.2186x+0.2574]
7.36 Aqueous solution containing 30 weight% acetic acid is treated eith an equal
weight of pure solvent isopropyl ether in a countercurrent multistage extraction
system. The feed is admitted at a rate 400 kg/h. If it is desired that the final raffinate
should contain not more than 5 weight% acetic acid determine the composition and
amounts of the extract and raffinate products. Use the equilibrium data given in the
Exercise 7.23.
[Ans: E1=533.3 kg, 20% acetic acid, 6.4% water, 73.6% isopropyl ether
RN=266.7 kg, 5% acetic acid, 93.2% water, 1.8% isopropyl ether]

7.37 An aqueous solution containing 30 weight% acetic acid is extracted at a rate

of 200 kg/h using 400 kg/h of pure isopropyl ether in countercurrent multistage
extraction unit. Calculate the number of stages required if the acetic acid
concentration in the final raffinate is to be 7.5 weight%. Use the equilibrium data
given in the Exercise 7.23.
[Ans: 4 stages]

7.38 One thousand kg/h of an aqueous solution containing 30.0 weight% acetic acid
is being extracted in countercurrent multistage unit using pure isopropyl ether solvent
so that the final raffinate contains 2.0 weight% acid. Use the equilibrium data given
in the Exercise 7.23. Calculate:
(a) The minimum solvent that can be used.
(b) The number of theoretical stages if the solvent is used at rate of 2500 kg/h.
[Ans: (a) 1586 kg, (b) 7 stages]

7.39 Acetic acid is extracted from an aqueous feed containing 25 weight% acetic
acid using pure isopropyl ether in multistage countercurrent unit so that the acid
concentration in the exit aqueous phase is reduced to 6.0 weight%. Use the
equilibrium data given in the Exercise 7.23. If 1000 kg/h of the feed is treated with
3000 kg/h of the solvent, calculate:
(a) The composition of the final raffinate and extract product.
(b) The flow rates of final raffinate and extract products.
(c) The number of thereotical stages.
[Ans: (a) Raffinate: acetic acid = 6%, Isopropyl ether = 1.97%, Water = 92.03%
Extract: acetic acid = 6.33%, Isopropyl ether = 91.50%, Water = 2.17%
(b) Raffinate = 726 kg, Extract = 3264 kg, (c) 2.5]

7.40 One thousand kg/h of a mixture containing 30% C in A is extracted

countercurrently with 1500 kg/h of solvent B so as to reduce the concentration of C
in the solvent-free final raffinate product to 10%. Determine the number of
stages.Use the equilibrium data given in the Exercise 7.27.
[Ans: 2.1]

7.41 Alcohol is extracted from an aqueous solution using ether in a multistage

countercurrent unit. The feed contains 40% alcohol by weight and the solvent-free
raffinate should contain not more than 5% alcohol. The feed is admitted at a rate 500
kg/h and the ether at a rate 600 kg/h. Equilibrium data for the system water-alcohol-
ether are:
Water phase,weight fraction Ether phase,weight fraction
Alcohol Ether Water Alcohol Ether Water
0 0.075 0.925 0 0.775 0.225
0.1 0.077 0.825 0.09 0.74 0.17
0.2 0.09 0.71 0.175 0.705 0.12
0.31 0.095 0.595 0.25 0.67 0.08
0.44 0.118 0.442 0.29 0.66 0.05
0.53 0.15 0.32 0.31 0.655 0.035
0.645 0.195 0.16 0.33 0.651 0.019
0.75 0.25 0 0.35 0.65 0
Calculte:
(a) The composition of flow rate of final raffinate
(b) Composition and flow rate of final extract
(c) The number of stages required
[Ans: (a) 260 kg, 6.7% alcohol, (b) 840 kg, 21.7% alcohol, (c) 3.4]

7.42 One thousand kg/h of an aqueous solution containing 40% acetone is to be

extracted in a countercurrent multistage unit with 1,1,2 trichloroethane at 298K to
reduce the acetone contact to 10%. T he equilibrium data for the system
trichloroethane-wate-acetone are given in the Exercise 7.35. Determine : (a) The
minimum solvent rate (b) The number of stages required at a solvent rate 30% in
excess of the minimum.
[Ans: (a) 251.6 kg, (b) 5 stages]

7.43 A pyridine-water solution containing 50% pyridine is to be extracted at a rate

of 5000 kg/h in a multistage countercurrent unit with chlorobenzene as solvent to
reduce the pyridine contact to 2% in the final raffinate. Use the equilibrium data
given in the Exercise 7.31. Determine: (a) The minimum solvent rate required (b) The
number of stages required if solvent is used at rate of 5100 kg/h (c) The quantities of
the saturated extract and raffinate phases.
[Ans: (a) 3741 kg/h, (b) 3 stages, (c) R=2336.5 kg/h, E=7763.5 kg/h]

7.44 It is desired to reduce the acetic acid contain in the aqueous solution from 30
weight% to less than 12.2 weight% using isopropyl ether as a solvent in a 5-stage
countercurrent unit. Determine the solvent-to-feed ratio and the composition of the
extract. Use the equilibrium data given in the Exercise 7.23.
[Ans: S/F=1.37, Extarct: 13.5% acetic acid, 82.1% ether]

7.45 It is desired to reduce the acetic acid contain in the aqueous solution from 30
weight% to 6.5 weight% using isopropyl ether as a solvent in a 3-stage
countercurrent unit. Determine the solvent-to-feed ratio and the composition of the
extract. Use the equilibrium data given in the Exercise 7.23.
 [Ans: S/F=2.89, Extarct: 8% acetic acid, 89.2% ether]

Countercurrent extraction with reflux

7.46 Diethylene glycol (B) is used as solvent for separating by extraction a solution
containing 50% ethyl benzene (A) and 50% styrene (C). The feed is admitted at a rate
of 1000 kg/h and the concentration of the styrene in the products are 10% and 90%.
Equilibrium data are:
Raffinate phase,weight fraction Extract phase,weight fraction
Ethyl benzene Glycol Styrene Ethyl benzene Glycol Styrene
99.33 0.67 0.00 10.40 89.60 0.00
90.56 0.81 8.63 9.84 88.52 1.64
80.42 0.93 18.66 9.31 87.20 3.50
70.49 1.00 28.51 8.72 85.80 5.48
60.93 1.09 37.98 8.07 84.47 7.45
53.55 1.20 45.25 7.36 83.39 9.25
52.96 1.20 45.84 7.31 83.19 9.50
43.29 1.39 55.32 6.32 81.68 12.00
42.11 1.39 56.51 6.07 81.38 12.55
21.51 1.80 76.69 3.74 77.63 18.64
0.00 2.50 97.50 0.00 72.90 27.10
Determine:
(a) The minimum number of theoretical stages
(b) The minimum extract reflux ratio
(c) The number of theoretical stages at a reflux ratio of 10 kg reflux per kg of extract
product
[Ans: (a) 10.5 stages, (b) 5.0, (c) 16 stages]

7.47 The countercurrent extraction unit employing extract reflux is used to extarct a
feed mixture consisting of 50 weight% methylcyclopentane(MCP,C) and 50 weight%
n-hexane (A) admitted to the cascade at rate 1000 kg/h using pure aniline (B) as the
solvent. The final extract is to contain 95% C on a solvent-free bases and the final
raffinate is to contain 5% C on solvent-free bases and the reflux ratio used is 8 kg
reflux per kg product. Determine:
(a) The number of stages
(b) The minimum reflux ratio
Raffinate phase Extract phase
n-Hexane Aniline MCP n-Hexane Aniline MCP
0.9279 0.0721 0.0000 0.0744 0.9256 0.0000
0.8261 0.0765 0.0973 0.0708 0.9165 0.0127
0.7239 0.0810 0.1951 0.0643 0.9074 0.0282
0.6203 0.0866 0.2932 0.0588 0.8974 0.0438
0.5152 0.0932 0.3916 0.0524 0.8856 0.0621
0.4076 0.1021 0.4903 0.0499 0.8709 0.0842
0.2976 0.1131 0.5893 0.0357 0.8534 0.1109
0.1853 0.1263 0.6884 0.0245 0.8313 0.1443
0.0685 0.1439 0.7876 0.0104 0.7996 0.1900
0.0000 0.1559 0.8441 0.0000 0.7762 0.2238
[Ans: (a) 28 stages, (b) 6.4]

7.48 The countercurrent extraction unit employing extract reflux is used to extract
a feed mixture consisting 50 weight% methylcyclohexane(MCH,C) and 50 weight%
n-heptane (A) admitted to the cascade at rate 1000 kg/h using pure aniline (B) as a
solvent admitted at a rate 15000 kg/h. The final extract is to contain 90% C on a
solvent-free basis and the final raffinate is to contain 10% C on solvent-free basis.
Determine:
(a) The reflux ratio
(b) The number of stages and the location of the feed stage
(c) The minimum number of stages
(d) The minimum reflux ratio
Raffinate phase,weight fraction Extract phase,weight fraction
n-Heptane MCH Aniline n-Heptane MCH Aniline
0.9260 0.0000 0.0740 0.0620 0.0000 0.9380
0.8315 0.0914 0.0772 0.0599 0.0080 0.9321
0.7341 0.1858 0.0800 0.0530 0.0270 0.9200
0.6985 0.2194 0.0821 0.0511 0.0300 0.9190
0.5768 0.3373 0.0859 0.0450 0.0461 0.9089
0.5068 0.4063 0.0869 0.0400 0.0600 0.9000
0.4505 0.4596 0.0900 0.0360 0.0740 0.8900
0.3074 0.5966 0.0960 0.0298 0.0980 0.8723
0.2286 0.6714 0.1000 0.0211 0.1132 0.8658
0.1823 0.7158 0.1019 0.0160 0.1269 0.8571
0.1604 0.7357 0.1039 0.0139 0.1310 0.8551
0.0541 0.8330 0.1128 0.0062 0.1559 0.8379
0.0000 0.8811 0.1189 0.0000 0.1689 0.8311
[Ans: (a) 4.09, (b) 15,6th stage, 9(c) 7.7 (d) 3.24]

7.49 A solution containing 50 weight % n-heptane and 50 weight%

methylcyclohexane is to be separated by extraction in to products containing 92.5%
MCH and 7.5% MCH , both on solvent-free basis. Aniline will be used as the solvent.
Equilibrium data are given in the Exercise 7.48.
Determine:
(a) The minimum number of theoretical stages
(b) Minimum extract reflux ratio
(c) The number of theoretical stages for a reflux ratio of 7.0
[Ans: (a) 10.3 (b) 2.72 (c) 15 stages]

7.50 Two liquids C and A are to be separated by extracting with the solvent B.The
feed contains 35% C and 65% A on a solvent-free bases and is a saturated
raffinate.The following data represent the equilibrium between the two liquids phases
at 368 K.
Extract layer Raffinate layer
C,% A,% B,% C,% A,% B,%
0 7.0 93.0 0 92.0 8.0
1.0 6.1 92.9 9.0 81.7 9.3
1.8 5.5 92.7 14.9 75.0 10.1
3.7 4.4 91.9 25.3 63.0 11.7
6.2 3.3 90.5 35.0 51.5 13.5
9.2 2.4 88.4 42.0 41.0 17.0
13.0 1.8 85.2 48.1 29.3 22.6
18.3 1.8 79.9 52.0 20.0 28.0
24.5 3.0 72.5 47.1 12.9 40.0
31.2 5.6 63.2 31.2 5.6 63.2
The extract product contains 83% C and 17% A and a raffinate containing 10% C
and 90% A both on a solvent-free bases.Determine :
(a) The minimum reflux ratio
(b) The number of ideal stages at a reflux ratio twice the minimum.
[Ans: (a) 3.3 (b) 10 stages]

7.51 An aqueous solution of ethylene glycol containing 30 weight% glycol is

extracted with furfural to produce an extract product containing 80% glycol and a
raffinate product containing 5% glycol both on solvent-free basis. Feed is admitted at
a rate 1000 kg/h. A perfect solvent separator is used so that extract product and the
reflux are free of solvent. Equilibrium solubility data for the ethylene glycol-water-
furfural system at 298K in weight fractions are:
Furfural Ethylene glycol Water Furfural Ethylene glycol Water
0.95 0 0.05 0.275 0.525 0.20
0.903 0.052 0.045 0.139 0.475 0.386
0.861 0.10 0.039 0.11 0.40 0.49
0.751 0.20 0.049 0.097 0.30 0.603
0.667 0.275 0.058 0.084 0.15 0.766
0.49 0.415 0.095 0.077 0 0.923
0.343 0.505 0.152
The tie line data for the systems are:
Raffinate phase,weight fraction Extract phase,weight fraction
Furfural Glycol Water Furfural Glycol Water
0.08 0.073 0.847 0.926 0.025 0.049
0.083 0.1 0.767 0.904 0.052 0.044
0.088 0.2 0.712 0.894 0.062 0.044
0.097 0.3 0.603 0.882 0.075 0.043
0.11 0.4 0.49 0.82 0.1 0.04
 0.139 0.475 0.386 0.803 0.15 0.047
0.251 0.515 0.234 0.751 0.2 0.049
0.277 0.525 0.198 0.665 0.275 0.06
0.414 0.415 0.171 0.414 0.415 0.171
Determine:
(a) The minimum number of theoretical stages
(b) Minimum extract reflux ratio
(c) The number of theoretical stages for a reflux ratio of 5.0
[Ans: (a) 3.75 (b) 4.12 (c) 6.28]

Continuous contact extraction

7.52 A lab-size countercurrent packed cloumn of height 1.5 m is used to absorb
acetic acid from an aqueous solution using benzene as solvent. Assume that benzene
and water are immiscible. The acid concentration in the aqueous phase is to be
reduced from 0.70 kmol/m3 to 0.69 kmol/m3. The acid concentration in the benzene
phase are measured to be 0.004 kmol/m3 at inlet and 0.015 kmol/m3 at outlet. The
equilibrium relationship is CE=0.025 CR . If the solvent is admitted at a rate is 1.5
m3/m2 s, Determine:
(a) The overall transfer coeffecient
(b) The height of the transfer unit
[Ans: (a) 1.70610-3 s-1 (b) 0.879 m]

7.53 Aetic acid is extracted counter currently in packed cloumn of helght 3.0m from
an aqueous sloution containing 4.0 weight% acid using isopropyl ether which is
assumed to be immiscible with water. The feed is admitted at a rate 0.5 kg/m2 s and
the solvent at a rate 1.0 kg/m2 s. The concentration of acid in the ether phase leaving
the cloumn is 1.0 weight%. The equilibrium relationship is given by Y=0.3 X where
Y is kg acid/kg ether and X is kg acid per kg water.
Calculate:
(a) The number of overall transfer units based on the raffinate phase, and
(b) The overall extraction coefficient based onthe raffinate phase, kg/m3 s
[Ans: (a) 1.46,(b) 0.243kg/m3 s]

7.54 A laboratory spray column of height 1.2 m is used to extract acetic acid from
an aqueous solution using MIBK, which is assumed to be completely immiscible
with water. The feed containing 0.70 kmol acid per m3 enters the top of the column at
a rate of 1.5m3/s m2 of tower cross section and the solvent at the bottom at a
rate of 2 m3/s m2 of tower cross section free of acetic acid and leaves with a
concentration of 0.2kmol/m3 . The equilibrium relationship under these conditions
may be taken as CE=0.55 CR where the concentrations are in kmol/m3 .Calculate:
(a) The overall extraction coefficient based on the driving force in the ketone phase
(b) The overall HTU based on the ketone phase.
[Ans: (a)2.16  10-3 s-1 (b) 1.16 m]
7.55 A valuable sloute is being extracted in packed cloumn using a solvent
immiscible with the carrier liquid in the feed. The equilibrium relationship for the
distribution of sloute between the immiscible phases is y=0.06 x where x and y are
the mole fractions of sloute in the raffinate and extract phases, respectively. The
terminal conditions are:
x 0.001 0.08
y 0.0 0.003
Determine:
(a) The number of transfer units based on the raffinate phase.
(b) The height of packing, if the height of the transfer units based on the raffinate side
is 0.25 m
[Ans: (a) 9.27 (b) 2.32 m]