Extension of Thermodynamic Insights on Batch Extractive Distillation to Continuous Operation. 2. Azeotropic Mixtures with a Light Entrainer

We have studied the continuous extractive distillation of minimum- and maximum-boiling azeotropic mixtures with a light entrainer. The ternary mixtures belong to class 1.0-2 and 1.0-1a diagrams, each with two subcases depending on the location of the univolatility line. The feasible product and feasible ranges of the operating parameters reboil ratio (S) and entrainer/feed flow rate ratio for the continuous process (FE/F) were assessed. Equations were derived for the composition profiles of the stripping, extractive, and rectifying sections in terms of S and FE/F. Class 1.0-1a processes enable the recovery of only one product because of the location of the univolatility line above a minimum value of the entrainer/feed flow rate ratio for both batch and continuous processes. Given a target purity, a minimum reboil ratio S also exists; its value is higher for the continuous process than for the batch process, for the continuous process where stricter feasible conditions arise because the composition profile of the rectifying section must intersect that of the extractive section. Class 1.0-2 mixtures allow either A or B to be obtained as a product, depending on the feed location on the composition triangle. Then, the univolatility line location sets limiting values for either the maximum or minimum of the feed ratio FE/F