Since you did such a good job with the first environmental problem, your boss asks you to figure out this one:
A feed of 40 wt% isopropyl alcohol, 55 wt% ether, and the balance water is mixed with pure water (the solvent) in an LLE system to extract the IPA. The solvent is of higher density
and, therefore, enters the top of the column while the feed enters the bottom. The goal is to produce a raffinate ether containing less than 3 wt% alcohol and an extract of at least 20
wt% alcohol. The system operates at 1 atm and 25°C
a) What is the composition of the mixture produced? Assuming 75% efficiency
b) Assuming 75% efficiency, how many separation stages are necessary to complete the desired separation?
Use the diagram on the next page to solve: