Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

73 Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro, 9000 Misamis Oriental

College of Engineering – Chemical Engineering Department

PROBLEM SET NO. 7 

Leaching

CHE 42 A 

Separation Processes

Submitted by: 
Romelie G. Albia

Submitted to:
Engr. Jayhiel S. Malila
PROBLEM 1: Countercurrent Multistage Washing of Ore (Constant Underflow). A treated
ore containing inert solid gangue and copper sulfate is to be leached in a countercurrent
multistage extractor using pure water to leach the CuSO4. The solid charge rate per hour consists
of 10 000kg of inert gangue (B), 1200kg of CuSO 4 (solute A), and 400kg of water (C). The exit
wash solution is to contain 92 wt% water and 8 wt% CuSO 4. A total of 95% of the CuSO 4 in the
inlet ore is to be recovered. The underflow is constant at N = 0.5kg inert gangue solid/kg
aqueous solution. Calculate the number of stages required

SOLUTION:

STEP 1: Draw a schematic diagram and state all the given in the problem

STEP 2: Perform the material balances to determine the amounts and compositions in the
system
Assumptions:
The concentration of solute in the overflow is equal to the concentration of solute in the
underflow stream. Hence, xA1 = yAN

STEP 3: Determine the number of stages required using the analytical equation

Therefore, the number of theoretical stages required is approximately equal to 6 stages

PROBLEM 2: Batch Leaching Five hundred kilograms of the inert solid containing 28 percent
by mass of the water-soluble component (A), is agitated with 100 m3 of water for 15 minutes.
Water is saturated with the solute at a concentration of 2.5 kg/m3 . Find the concentration of the
solute (A) in the solution after the leaching process. In a pilot scale test using a 1 m3 vessel in
volume, the solute was leached from an inert solid and the water was already 75% saturated with
the solute in 10 seconds
SOLUTION:
STEP 1: Draw a schematic diagram and state all the given in the problem

STEP 2: Perform a derivation of the equation to arrive at a certain equation that is applicable
in this problem
STEP 3: Determine the value of KLA with respect to pilot scale vessel

STEP 4: Determine the value of the concentration of the solute (A) with respect to full scale
vessel

Therefore, the concentration of the solute A is equal to 1.78 kg/m3

PROBLEM 3: Extraction of Oil from Halibut Livers. Oil is to be extracted from halibut livers
by means of ether in a countercurrent extraction battery. The entrainment of solution by the
granulated liver mass was found by experiment as presented in the table below. In the extraction
battery, the charge per cell is to be 100 lb, based on completely exhausted livers (the pure inert
solid). The unextracted livers contain 0.043 gallons of oil per pound of the pure inert
solid/exhausted livers. A 95 percent recovery of the oil is desired. The final extract is to contain
0.65 gal of oil per gal of extract. The ether feed to the system is oil free.
a. Establish the N vs. composition diagram based on the data given below.
b. Determine the number of theoretical stages.
Table 3.1 Summary Data of the assigned values for N and ya
Solution retained by 1lb exhausted livers Solution concentration retained in
(gal) underflow. (gal oil/gal solution)
0.035 0.00
0.042 0.10
0.050 0.20
0.058 0.30
0.068 0.40
0.081 0.50
0.099 0.60
0.120 0.68

SOLUTION:
(PART A) Determine the N vs. composition based on the data given (Table 3.1)
STEP 1: Make an adjustment on the table data given
From the problem, it mentioned that there is an entrainment of solution by the granulated liver mass was
found by experiment as presented in the table data given.
Hence, we tend to modify the N data values and that is to reciprocate all the values given
Table 3.2 Summary Data of the assigned values for N and ya
Solution retained by 1lb Reciprocated values Solution concentration retained
exhausted livers (gal) (1/N) in underflow. (gal oil/gal
(N) solution)
0.035 28.57 0.00
0.042 23.81 0.10
0.050 20.00 0.20
0.058 17.24 0.30
0.068 14.71 0.40
0.081 12.35 0.50
0.099 10.10 0.60
0.120 08.33 0.68

We will be using the reciprocated values and the solution concentration

STEP 2: Plot the N vs. composition based on the data given in Table 3.2

35

30

25
 N(
15

10

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
ya, xa (gal oil/gal solution)

(PART B) Determine the number of theoretical stages.

Figure 3.1:diagram
STEP 1: Draw a schematic Graphical
andPresentation of given
state all the the N vs. composition
in the problemdiagram

STEP 2: Determine the values of the mass solid (B), mass oil in Lo(Ao) and mass of the solvent.

STEP 3: Calculate the value of N0 from the given data.

STEP 4: In the N vs. composition diagram, plot N0 and the corresponding value of yA0
STEP 5: For the VN+1 stream, the value of N is equal to zero (no amount of inert solid present).
Also, no amount of oil is present in this stream, so xAN+1 = 0.0. Thereafter, plot NN+1.

To plot:

Lo(No):

yAO = 1.00

NO = 23.26

VN+1(NN+1):

xAN+1 = 0
N=0

Figure 3.2: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the No and Vn+1

STEP 6: Locate the point where the LN stream is located. To do this, we need to create a line
starting from the VN+1 point which should extend and touch the curve. We can create a line by
calculating for the slope term N/y.

Input any value of y in the equation to generate a corresponding value of N. Connect it to the
VN+1 point and extend the line until it touches the N vs. y curve. Read off the diagram to
determine the value of N and y for LN stream.
 Figure 3.3: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the
LN
Reading: N for L N stream=26
STEP 7: Extend the LN – VN+1 line and L0 – V1 line until a point is reached where the two lines
intersect. This is known as the difference point (Δ). This is also called as the operating point.
y for LN stream=0.055
STEP 8: Since an assumption is made that the oil is infinitely soluble in the solvent, this means
that our tie lines are vertical. Extend a line from V 1 point until it touches the underflow curve.
The intersection of this curve and the line is the location of L1 that is in equilibrium with V1
STEP 9: Create a line connecting L1 and Δ point. The intersection of this line and the overflow
curve will give us the V2 point.
STEP 10: Repeat Steps 8 and 9 (stepping-off process). Stop once the tie line intersects the L N –
VN+1 line.
 Figure 3.4 Graphical Construction for number of stages obtained in the problem

Based from the figure, there are approximately 7.9

theoretical stages obtained
PROBLEM 4: Countercurrent Leaching of Oil from Meal. A continuous countercurrent
multistage system is to be used to leach oil from meal by benzene solvent (B3). The process is to
treat 2000kg/h of inert solid meal (B) containing 800kg oil(A) and also 50 kg benzene (C). The
inlet flow per hour of fresh solvent mixture contains 1310kg benzene and 20kg oil. The leached
solids are to contain 120 kg oil. Settling experiments similar to those in the actual extractor show
that the solution retained depends upon the concentration of oil in the solution. The data (B3) are
tabulated below as N kg inert solid B/kg solution yA kg oil A/kg solution:
Calculate the amounts and concentrations of the stream leaving the process and the number of
stages required
Table 4.1 Summary Data of the assigned values for N and ya
N yA
2.00 0.0
1.98 0.1
1.94 0.2
1.89 0.3
1.82 0.4
1.75 0.5
1.68 0.6
1.61 0.7

STEP 1: Plot the N vs. composition diagram using the data given in the problem

2.5

1.5
N

0.5

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
ya

Figure 4.1: Graphical Presentation of the N vs. composition diagram

STEP 2: Draw a schematic diagram and state all the given in the problem

STEP 3: Calculate the value of N0 from the given data.

STEP 4: In the N vs. composition diagram, plot N0 and the corresponding value of yA0
STEP 5: For the VN+1 stream, the value of N is equal to zero, hence, no amount of inert solid
present. Also, no amount of oil is present in this stream, so xAN+1 = 0.0. Thereafter, plot NN+1.

2.5 To plot:
LO(NO)
Lo(No):
2
yAO = 0.941

1.5 NO = 2.35
N

VN+1(NN+1):
1
xAN+1 = 0
N=0
0.5

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
 VN+1(NN+1)

Figure 4.2: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the LO(NO) and

VN+1(NN+1)
STEP 6: Locate the point where the LN stream is located. To do this, we need to create a line
starting from the VN+1 point which should extend and touch the curve. We can create a line by
calculating for the slope term N/y.

Input any value of y in the equation to generate a corresponding value of N. Connect it to the
VN+1 point and extend the line until it touches the N vs. y curve. Read off the diagram to
determine the value of N and y for LN stream.

Figure 4.3: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the

LN

Reading: N for L N stream=1.98

y for LN stream=0.12

Step 7: Locate the M point by solving for NM and xAM values via mass balances
Step 6: Plot M and xAM in the N vs composition diagram.

Step 7: Connect the three points to create a line.

Step 8: Connect the LN point to M point and extend it until it touches the overflow line. This will
correspond to the V1 point. The point where it intersects the overflow line will give us the value
of the concentration of A in the overflow stream (xA1).

To plot:

M point:

xAM = 0.376

NM = 0.917

Figure 4.4: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the point M and

determination of V1 point

From the diagram, the value of xA1 is 0.60

STEP 9: Thereafter, connect the L0 and V1 by extending a line from V1 point to L0 point.
STEP 10: Extend the LN – VN+1 line and L0 – V1 line until a point is reached where the two lines
intersect. This is known as the difference point (Δ). This is also called as the operating point.
STEP 11: Since an assumption is made that the oil is infinitely soluble in the solvent, this means
that our tie lines are vertical. Extend a line from V 1 point until it touches the underflow curve.
The intersection of this curve and the line is the location of L1 that is in equilibrium with V1
STEP 12: Create a line connecting L1 and Δ point. The intersection of this line and the overflow
curve will give us the V2 point.
STEP 13: Repeat Steps 11 and 12 (stepping-off process). Stop once the tie line intersects the L N
– VN+1 line.

(See next page for the graph stepping-off process)

 Figure 4.5 Graphical Construction for number of stages obtained in the problem

Reading: Based from the figure, there are approximately 3.9 theoretical
stages needed in the system
V1: xA1 = 0.60

LN: yAN = 0.118

STEP 14: Determine the amounts and compositions using the material balances

Therefore, the amounts of the exiting streams are

equal to LN = 1013.11 kg and V1 = 1166.89 kg
PROBLEM 5: Effect of Less Solvent Flow in Leaching Oil from Metal. Use the same
conditions as given in Problem 4, but the inlet fresh-solvent-mixture flow rate per hour is
decreased by 10%, to 1179 kg of benzene and 18 kg of oil. Calculate the number of stages
needed.

Table 5.1 Summary Data of the assigned values for N and ya

N yA
2.00 0.0
1.98 0.1
1.94 0.2
1.89 0.3
1.82 0.4
1.75 0.5
1.68 0.6
1.61 0.7

STEP 1: Plot the N vs. composition diagram using the data given in the problem

2.5

1.5
N

0.5

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
ya
 Figure 5.1: Graphical Presentation of the N vs. composition diagram

STEP 2: Draw a schematic diagram and state all the given in the problem

STEP 3: Calculate the value of N0 from the given data

STEP 4: In the N vs. composition diagram, plot N0 and the corresponding value of yA0
STEP 5: For the VN+1 stream, the value of N is equal to zero (no amount of inert solid present).
Also, no amount of oil is present in this stream, so xAN+1 = 0.0. Thereafter, plot NN+1.

To plot:

Lo(No):

yAO = 0.941

NO = 2.35

VN+1(NN+1):

xAN+1 = 0
N=0

Figure 5.2: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the LO(NO) and

VN+1(NN+1)
STEP 6: Locate the point where the LN stream is located. To do this, we need to create a line
starting from the VN+1 point which should extend and touch the curve. We can create a line by
calculating for the slope term N/y

Input any value of y in the equation to generate a corresponding value of N. Connect it to the
VN+1 point and extend the line until it touches the N vs. y curve. Read off the diagram to
determine the value of N and y for LN stream.

Figure 5.3: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the

LN
Reading: N for L N stream=1.98

y for LN stream=0.12

Step 7: Locate the M point by solving for M and xAM values via mass balances
Step 6: Plot NM and xAM in the N vs composition diagram.

Step 7: Connect the three points to create a line.

Step 8: Connect the LN point to M point and extend it until it touches the overflow line. This will
correspond to the V1 point. The point where it intersects the overflow line will give us the value
of the concentration of A in the overflow stream (xA1).

To plot:

M point:

xAM = 0.40

NM = 0.98
 Figure 5.4: Graphical Presentation of Plotting the point M and
determination of V1 point

STEP 9: Thereafter, connect the L0 and V1 by extending a line from V1 point to L0 point.
STEP 10: Extend the LN – VN+1 line and L0 – V1 line until a point is reached where the two lines
intersect. This is known as the difference point (Δ). This is also called as the operating point.
STEP 11: Since an assumption is made that the oil is infinitely soluble in the solvent, this means
that our tie lines are vertical. Extend a line from V 1 point until it touches the underflow curve.
The intersection of this curve and the line is the location of L1 that is in equilibrium with V1
STEP 12: Create a line connecting L1 and Δ point. The intersection of this line and the overflow
curve will give us the V2 point.
STEP 13: Repeat Steps 11 and 12 (stepping-off process). Stop once the tie line intersects the L N
– VN+1 line.

(See next page for the graph stepping-off process)

 Figure 5.5 Graphical Construction for number of stages obtained in the problem

Reading: Based from the figure, there are approximately 4.9 theoretical
stages needed in the system
V1: xA1 = 0.68

LN: yAN = 0.118

STEP 14: Determine the amounts and compositions using the material balances
 Therefore, the amounts of the exiting streams are
equal to LN = 1019.86 kg and V1 = 1027.14 kg

PROBLEM 6: Leaching of Oil from Soybeans in a Single Stage. Repeat Example 12.9-1 for
single-stage leaching of oil from soybeans. The 100kg of soybeans contains 22 wt% oil and the
solvent feed is 80kg of solvent containing 3 wt% soybean oil
Example 12.9-1 In a single-stage leaching of soybean oil from flaked soybeans with hexane,
100kg of soybean containing 20 wt% oil is leached with 100kg of fresh hexane solvent. The
value of N for the slurry underflow is essentially constant at 1.5 kg insoluble-solid/kg solution
retained. Calculate the amounts and compositions of the overflow V1 and the underflow slurry L1
leaving the stage.

Step 1: Draw a schematic diagram and state all the given in the problem
Step 2: Calculate the value of N0 from the given data

Step 3: Determine the point M by solving xAM and NM

Step 4: Plotting a diagram

1. Locate the value of N which is a constant value of 1.5 kg
2. Locate the point of LO using the points (yAO,NO) equal to (1.0,3.55)
3. Locate the point of VN+1 using the value of xN+1 = 0.03 and N=0
4. Locate the point M using the points (xAM,NM) equal to (0.24,0.76)
5. Connect the points Lo, VN+1 and M to create a line
6. Draw a vertical tie line from overflow line and along the point M until it intersect to
underflow curve. The intersect point in overflow is the V 1 and for underflow locating
the L1 point
 Figure 6.1 Graphical solution of single-stage leaching

Reading:

V1 : xA1 = 0.24

L1 : yA1 = 0.24

Step 5: Calculate the amounts and compositions of the overflow V1 and the underflow slurry L1
leaving the stage.

Therefore, the amounts and compositions of the overflow V1 and the

underflow slurry L1 leaving the stage are 50 kg and 52 kg, respectively