Category: Mass Transfer

When acetone is added in a two layer mixture of methyl isobutyl ketone and water at 30°C, the acetone distributes between the two layers and the composition of the layer follows two solubility curves. For this system ?

A. As the acetone concentration increases, the solubility curves approach each other
B. Both the phases become identical at a particular common point on both the solubility curves
called the plait point
C. The distribution curve which is a plot between x (acetone concentration in one phase) and y
(acetone concentration in other phase) is analogous to x-y curve used in distillation and
absorption terminates on the x = y diagonal at the concentration of the plait point
D. All A., B. and C.

A distillation column with N plates is being operated under normal conditions. At some point of time, the operation is shifted to total reflux condition (i.e., no product and residue are being withdrawn and feed to the column is stopped). At the new steady state ?

A. Composition of vapors and that of liquid do not vary throughout the column
B. Reboiler load and condenser load are minimum
C. The top and bottom compositions are unchanged with and without total reflux
D. The top and bottom compositions correspond to the maximum enrichment available