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Extractive Distillation

Extractive distillation is a process that uses a third component or solvent to enhance the separation of two other components by increasing their volatility difference. The solvent and less volatile component exit together at the bottom of the distillation column. The extracted component is then recovered through a subsequent distillation. An ideal solvent for extractive distillation significantly increases volatility difference without being too costly or difficult to later separate from the product. Extractive distillation is commonly used to separate azeotropic mixtures, such as benzene and cyclohexane, by using a solvent like propylene glycol.

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322 views

Extractive Distillation

Extractive distillation is a process that uses a third component or solvent to enhance the separation of two other components by increasing their volatility difference. The solvent and less volatile component exit together at the bottom of the distillation column. The extracted component is then recovered through a subsequent distillation. An ideal solvent for extractive distillation significantly increases volatility difference without being too costly or difficult to later separate from the product. Extractive distillation is commonly used to separate azeotropic mixtures, such as benzene and cyclohexane, by using a solvent like propylene glycol.

Uploaded by

Mikas Philip
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Extractive Distillation

What Is Extractive Distillation?


Extractive distillation is a vapor-liquid process operation
that uses a third component, or solvent, to effect a
chemical separation
The extractive agent creates or enhances the volatility
difference between the components to be separated.
The extractive agent and the less volatile component
flow to the bottom of the distillation column, where the
extracted component is recovered by a subsequent
distillation
The non-extracted species are distilled to the top of the
extractive distillation tower.
Choice of Solvent
Should enhance significantly the natural relative volatility of the
key component.
Should not require an excessive ratio of solvent to nonsolvent
(because of cost of handling in the column and auxiliary
equipment.
Should remain soluble in the feed components and should not
lead to the formation of two phase.
Should be easily separable from the bottom product.
Should be inexpensive and readily available.
Should be stable at the temperature of the distillation and solvent
separation.
Should be nonreactive with the components in the feed mixture.
Should have a low latent heat.
Should be noncorrosive and nontoxic
ED for Aromatics Recovery
Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was for many years the
primary choice for aromatics recovery due to narrow
boiling feed fractions
LLE vs. ED
The basic configuration for LLE requires
four units, in contrast to the two required
for ED
ED systems now use better heat
integration
smaller and fewer pieces of equipment
enhanced mass transfer devices
they exhibit improved operability and
controllability
Case study
deals with the azeotropic mixture formed
between benzene and cyclohexane (91
C). At 150 kPa, cyclohexane and benzene
will have boiling points of 94.34 C and
93.49 C respectively
Recommended solvent for the benzene-
cyclohaxane mixture from the literature is
propylene glycol
Column operation
The extractive distillation unit of this cyclohexane
production plant consists of two distillation columns. The
first column acts as an extractive column where the
solvent is introduced at the second stage of the column,
so that it will be present throughout the column and exits
with the bottoms.
The bottom product of the first column will then fed to the
second column, i.e. the solvent recovery column, to
undergo the normal distillation to separate both the
components for further usage, i.e. benzene being
recycled to the reactor for further conversion while
solvent to the first column for reuse.
distillation unit for cyclohexane
production plant (schematic)
distillation unit for cyclohexane
production plant (tabular)

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