Separation processes, I: Azeotropic rectification

Abstract

In a series of two articles, the problems of azeotrope separation (part I) and the design of separation units (part II) were analyzed. The basic definition and equations of vapour-liquid equilibria for ideal and non-ideal systems, the importance of the activity coefficient calculation necessary for the analysis of non-ideal equilibrium systems, as well as theoretical aspects of azeotrope rectification and the determination of the optimal third component (modifier or azeotrope agent) are presented in the first part.

Keywords

• separation
• rectification
• azeotrope
• VLE
• equilibrium
• activity coefficient