Liquid-Liquid

Extraction
 Introduction
• Liquid-liquid extraction (solvent extraction): is the separation of the
constituents of a liquid solution by contact with another insoluble
liquid.
• It is a mass transfer operation in which a liquid solution (feed) is
contacted with an immiscible or nearly immiscible liquid (solvent)
that exhibits preferential affinity or selectivity towards one or more
of the components in the feed.

Important terms
• The solution which is to be extracted is called the feed,
• the liquid with which the feed is contacted is called the solvent.
• The solvent rich product of the operation is called the extract,
the residual liquid from which the solute has been removed is
the raffinate.
 Working Principles of Liquid-liquid
extraction
When Liquid-liquid extraction is carried out in a test tube or flask
the two immiscible phases are shaken together to allow molecules
to partition (dissolve) into the preferred solvent phase.

C
SOLVENT C+A+B
EXTRACT

RAFFINATE
B+A+C

A+B
FEED
• In liquid-liquid extraction, a soluble component (the
solute) moves from one liquid phase to another.
• The two liquid phases must be either immiscible, or
partially miscible.

➢ usually isothermal and isobaric

➢ can be done at low temperature
(good for thermally fragile solutes, such as large organic molecules or
biomolecules)

➢ extracting solvent is usually recycled, often by

distillation.
➢ can be single stage (mixer-settler) or multistage
(cascade)
• An example of extraction:

Extract (C+A+B)
Acetic acid (A) Organic layer contains most of
in Water (B) acetic acid in ethyl acetate with a
small amount of water.
+
Ethyl acetate Raffinate (B+C+A)
(C) Aqueous layer contains a weak
acetic acid solution with a small
amount of ethyl acetate.

• The amount of water in the extract and ethyl

acetate in the raffinate depends upon their
solubility's in one another.
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Laboratory separation funnel
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Mixer-settler for Extraction

a) Separate mixer-settler b) Combined mixer-settler

 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Mixer-settler for Extraction
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Mixer-settler for Extraction

Advantages Disadvantages
Reliable scale up techniques. Large amounts of floor space
required.

Can handle high flow rates. Only systems with a few stages
are economical.

Ideal for processes with slow Large amounts of valuable

mass transfer. material, such as the solvent, are
tied up during the process.

Intense mixing, resulting in small Poor solvent conservation.

droplets for good mass transfer.
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Spray Extraction Tower

Spray Extraction Tower

➢ Vessel in which the mixing
is done by the flow of the
fluid themselves,
➢ mixing and settling
proceed continuously and
simultaneously.
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Spray Extraction Tower

Advantages Disadvantages
It has no internal parts except for Inefficient.
the spray nozzles and hence
eliminate the scale buildup and
plugging problem.

Low cost
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Packed Extraction Tower

The column consists of

• a packed bed,
• distributors for
the two liquid
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Packed Extraction Tower

Advantages Disadvantages
Highly efficient when only a few Suffer from solids plugging
stages are needed.

The random packings in the tower The initial dispersion is a concern

cause the droplets to coalesce and for packed columns, to avoid
redisperse at frequent intervals channeling
throughout the tower

Reduced axial mixing Hard to scale up accurately

 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Mechanically agitated extraction tower

Drive Motor Gearbox

Light
Heavy Phase Out
Phase In

Vessel Shaft
Walls

Stators Rotors
Light
Phase In
rotating-disk contactor
a. agitator; b. stator disk
Interface Interface
Control
Mixer-settlers operate with a purely stage-wise contact.
After every mixer there is a settler. Mixer-settlers can be
Heavy
Phase Out operated in a multistage, co- or countercurrent fashion.
 Typical liquid-liquid extraction
equipment
Mechanically agitated extraction tower

Advantages Disadvantages
Mechanical parts result in good Repair of internal mechanical
dispersion. parts can cause process delays.

Little axial mixing compared to

non-agitated columns
 General Design Considerations
Some factors that influence extraction processes are:
• Type of stage configurations
• Minimum solvent flow rate and actual flow as multiple of
minimum flow rate (or reflux for more than one stage system)
• Operating conditions
• Choice of liquid solvents
• Number of equilibrium stages
• Emulsification and scum formation tendencies
• Phase-density difference
• Interfacial tension
• Type of extractor
 General Design Considerations
Some characteristics of an ideal solvent:
▪ High selectivity for targeted solute to be extracted
▪ High capacity for dissolving solute
▪ Mininum or no corrosion problem.
▪ Large density difference with carrier
▪ High thermal and chemical stability
▪ No or low toxicity
▪ Low price
Equilibrium relations in extraction
• Extraction involves the use of systems of at least
three substances. The most important notation
scheme for extraction are:
1. Liquid B and C are pure, substantially insoluble
liquids, and A is the distributed solute.
2. Mixtures to be separated by extraction composed of A
and B where as C is the extracting solvent.
3. Equilateral triangular coordinates are often used to
represent the equilibrium data for a three component
systems as shown in the figure;
 Ternary relationship
1. Each altitude of the triangle
represents 100% pure component
and the distance to the three sides
represents the percentages or the
fractions of the three components.
2. Point M represents the mixture of
the three components
3. Any point on the side of the triangle
Fig.: Triangular diagram represents a binary mixture
➢ Point D for example contains a
fraction of 0.8 A and 0.2 B.
4. The perpendicular distance from any point such as M to the base AB
represents the mass fraction of C in the mixture at M, the distance to
the base AC of B, and that to the base CB the mass fraction of A. Thus,
at point M;
xA + xB + xC = 0.40 + 0.20 + 0.40 = 1.0
 Ternary relationship when A and B are
partially miscible phase
• This is the most common type of systems in extraction
Example:
i. water (A)-chloroform(B)-acetone (C) and
ii. methyl isobutyl ketone (A)-water (B)- acetone (C)
iii. benzene (A)-water (B)-acetic acid (C)
Fig.: Liquid-liquid phase diagram where components A & B are partially miscible

• Liquid C dissolves completely in A and B, but Liquid A is only slightly

soluble in B and B slightly soluble in A.
• The two phase region is included inside below the curved envelope.

• Point M represents a mixture of the two phases.

• The more insoluble the liquid A and B , the nearer the apexes of the
triangle will points L and K be located.
 • Curve LPK is a bimodal solubility
curve indicating the change in solubility
of the A-and B-rich phases upon addition
of C.

• Any mixture outside the curve is a

homogenous mixture of one phase liquid.

Any ternary mixture underneath the curve, such as M, will form two
insoluble saturated liquid phase of equilibrium compositions indicated
by a (A-rich) and b (B-rich).

• An original mixture of composition M will separate into two

phases a and b which are on the equilibrium tie line through
point M.
• The two phases are identical at point P, the Plait point.
 Reading ternary phase diagram
• Example: Define the composition of point A, B, C, M, E, R, P and DEPRG
in the ternary-mixture.
 Example 5.1
Any point on the side of the triangle represents a binary mixture
Define the composition of point A, B, C, M, E, R, P and DEPRG in the ternary-mixture.
Point A = 100% Water
Point B = 100% Ethylene Glycol
Point C = 100% Furfural
Point M = 30% Ethylene glycol,
40% water, 30% furfural
Point E = 43.8% glycol, 10% water,
46.2% furfural
Point R = 11% glycol, 81% water,
8% furfural
The miscibility limits for the furfural-
water binary system are at point D and
G.
Point P (Plait point), the two liquid phases
have identical compositions.
DEPRG is saturation curve or bimodal
curve 29
 Example 5.2
From the diagram below determine the concentrations (mole fractions) at
Point M, E and R?
 Solution
Consider the point M:

•
water content (xA) : 0.19
Ethylene glycol content (xB): 0.20
Furfural content (xC): 0.61

check: xA + xB + xC = 1

• •

Do the same for point E, R and P.

 Equilibrium data on rectangular
coordinates
Since triangular coordinates have some disadvantage due to the special
coordinates, in order to be able to expand one concentration scale relative
to the other, a more useful method of plotting the three-component data is
to use rectangular coordinates.
The system acetic acid (A) – water (B) – isopropyl ether solvent (C).

The solvent pair B and C are partially miscible.

Raffinate compositions are represented by

coordinates: (xA, xC)
Extract compositions are represented by
coordinates: (yA, yC)
The concentration of B is obtained by
differences from equation below
xB = 1.0 - xA - xC
yB = 1.0 - yA - yC
The two phase region is inside the envelop.

The tie line gi is connecting the water-rich layer i

called the raffinate, x layer and the ether-rich
layer, g called the extract layer, y

To construct the tie line gi using the equilibrium

yA-xA plot below the phase diagram , vertical
Liquid-liquid Equilibrium
line to g and I are drawn
phase diagram
Overview of solution using
Rectangular diagram:

1. Find mixing point, h

2. Find tie-line through h (trial

and error);

3. Find g and i at either end

(co-linear with h).

4. Find flow rates of g and i.

 Example 5.3
An original mixture weighing 100 kg and containing 30 kg of
isopropyl ether (C), 10 kg of acetic acid (A), and 60 kg water (B) is
equilibrated and the equilibrium phases separated. What are the
compositions of the two equilibrium phases?

Solution:

Composition of original mixture is xc= 0.3, xA = 0.10, and xB = 0.60.

Solution
1. Plot the composition of xC =
0.30, xA = 0.10 and xB on the
equilibrium diagram as at
point h.

2. The tie line gi is drawn

through point h by trial and
error.
3. The composition of the
extract (ether) layer at g is yA
= 0.04, yC = 0.94, and yB =
1.00 - 0.04 - 0.94 = 0.02
mass fraction.
4. The raffinate (water) layer
composition at i is xA = 0.12,
xC = 0.02, and xB = 1.00 –
0.12 – 0.02 = 0.86.
 Equilibrium contact stages
Single stage equilibrium extraction
• As shown in Figure below the equation can be derived using
rectangular coordinates.
• Two streams containing L kg and V kg containing component A,
B, and C are mixed to give a resulting mixture M total mass.
• Writing an overall mass balance and balance on A and on C
5.2
V L+V=M
M
L VyA + LxA = MxA,M = (V + L)xAM 5.3

mixer VyC + LxC = MxCM = (V + L)xCM 5.4

• Combining Eqns (5.2) and (5.3)

L y A − x AM
= (5.5)
V x AM − x A

V
• Similarly combining Eqs (5.2) and (5.4) M
L mixer
L yC − xC M
=
V xC M − xC
(5.6)

•Equating 5.5 and 5.6 and rearranging

xC − xC M xC M − y C
= (5.7)
x A − x AM x AM − y A
Eqn. 5.7 shows that points L, M, and V must lie on a straight line.
By using the properties of similar right triangles,

Lever arm’s rule

L( kg ) VM (5.8)
=
V ( kg ) LM

L( kg ) VM
= (5.9)
M ( kg ) LV L
•
M
•

V similar triangles
•
Example 5.4
The compositions of the two equilibrium layers in Example 5.1 are
for the extract layer (V1) yA = 0.04, yB = 0.02, and yC = 0.94, and for
the raffinate layer (L1) xA = 0.12, xB = 0.86, and xC = 0.02. The original
mixture contained 100 kg and xAM = 0.10. Determine the amounts of
V1 and L1.
V2
Given: M= 100 kg, xAM = 0.10
V1

extract layer (V1): yA = 0.04, yB = 0.02, L0 L1

raffinate layer (L1) xA = 0.12, xB = 0.86,

Solution:
Substituting into eq. 5.2
𝑉1 + 𝐿1 = 𝑀 = 100 (a)

Substituting into eq. 5.3, where M = 100 kg and xAM = 0.10,

𝑉1 0.04 + 𝐿1 0.12 = 100 0.10 (b)
•Solving eqns (a) and (b) simultaneously,
L1 = 75.0 and V1 = 25.0.
•Alternatively, using the lever-arm rule,

➢the distance hg in Figure below is

measured as 4.2 units and gi as 5.8 units.
Then by eq. 5.8,
L L h g 4.2
= = =
M 100 gi 5.8

Solving, L1 = 72.5 kg and V1 = g

27.5 kg, which is a reasonably •
close check on the material-
balance method. h
•
similar triangles
i
•
 Single-stage liquid-liquid extraction processes
Single-state equilibrium extraction V1 V2

We now study the separation of A from a mixture L0 L1

of A and B by a solvent C in a single equilibrium
stage.

An overall mass balance: L0 + V2 = L1 + V1 = M 5.10

A balance on A: L0 x A0 + V2 y A2 = L1 x A1 + V1 y A1 = Mx AM 5.11

A balance on C: L0 xC 0 + V2 yC 2 = L1 xC1 + V1 yC1 = MxC M 5.12

x A + x B + xC = 1.0
To solve the three equations, the equilibrium-phase-diagram is used.
V1 V2

L0 L1

1. L0 and V2 are known.

2. We calculate M, xAM, and xCM by using
equation 5.10-5.12.
3. Plot L0, V2, M in the Figure.
4. Using trial and error a tie line is drawn
through the point M, which locates the
compositions of L1 and V1.
5. The amounts of L1 and V1 can be
determined by substitution in Equation
5.10-5.12 or by using lever-arm rule.
 Example 5.5

A mixture weighing 1000 kg contains 23.5 wt% acetic acid

(A) and 76.5 wt% water (B) and is to be extracted by 500
kg isopropyl ether (C) in a single-stage extraction.
Determine the amounts and compositions of the extract and
raffinate phases.
Solution
Given: L0 = 1000 kg , x Ao = 0.235, xBo = 0.765 and xCo = 0
V2 = 500 kg y A 2 = 0, yB 2 = 0 and yC 2 = 1

L0 + V2 = 1000 + 500 = M = 1500 kg

V1 V2

L0 x A0 + V2 y A2 = MxAM

(1000)(0.235) + (500)(0) = (1500) xAM

L0 L1

x AM = 0.157
Similarly
xc 0 = 1 − x A0 − xB 0 = 1.0 − 0.235 − 0.765 = 0
L0 xC 0 + V2 yC 2 = MxC M
(1000 )(0) + (500)(1) = (1500 ) xC M

xCM = 0.33
 V2 (0,1) = (yA2, yC2)
V1 (0.1,0.89) = (yA1, yC1)

M(0.157,0.33) = (xAM, xCM)

L1(0.2,0.03) = (xA1, xC1)
1. L0 and V2 are known. M
L0(0.235,0) = (xA0, xC0
2. We calculate M, xAM, and xCM
by using equation 5.10-5.12.
3. Plot L0, V2, M in the Figure.
4. Using trial and error a tie
line is drawn through the
point M, which locates the
compositions of L1 and V1.
5. The amounts of L1 and V1
can be determined by
substitution in Equation 5.10-
5.12 or
• Alternatively, by using lever-
arm rule.
A mixture weighing 1000 kg contains 30 wt% acetic
acid (A) and 70 wt% water (B) and is to be extracted by
500 kg isopropyl ether (C) in a single-stage extraction.
Determine the amounts and compositions of the
extract and raffinate phases.
From the graph: xA1 = 0.2 and yA1 = 0.1;

L1 xA1 + V1 y A1 = MxAM

L1 (0.2) +V1 (0.1) = (1500)(0.157)

L1 + 0.5V1 = 1,177.5 (1)

From the graph: xC1 = 0.03 and yC1 = 0.89;

L1 xC1 + V1 yC1 = MxC M

L1 (0.03) +V1 (0.89) = (1500)(0.33)

L1 + 29.67V1 = 16,500 (2)

Solving eq(1) and eq(2) to get L1 and V1;

L1 = 914.86kg and V1 = 525.28kg

x A1 = 0.2, y A1 = 0.1, xC1 = 0.03 and yC1 = 0.89 Answer
Exercise
A single-stage extraction is performed in which 400 kg of a solution
containing 35 wt% acetic acid in water is contacted with 400 kg of pure
isopropyl ether. Calculate the amounts and compositions of the extract
and raffinate layers. Solve for the amounts algebraically. Use equilibrium
data given below.
Solution
Given: L0 + V2 = 400 + 400 = M = 800 kg
x A0 = 0.35, xB 0 = 0.65 and y A2 = 1.0

L0 x A0 + V2 y A2 = MxAM

(400)(0.35) + (400)(0) = (800) xAM

xAM = 0.175
Given:
xc 0 = 1 − x A0 − xB 0 = 1.0 − 0.35 − 0.65 = 0

L0 xC 0 + V2 yC 2 = MxC M

(400)(0) + (400)(1) = (800) xC M

xCM = 0.5
Draw the equilibrium diagram and Locate point,
L0, V1 and M
 • Using trial and error, the tie V2 (0,1) = (yA2, yC2)
V1 (0.12,0.87) = (yA1, yC1)
line is drawn through point
M that determines the
M(0.175,0.5) = (xAM, xCM)
composition of LN and V1
L1(0.22,0.03) = (xA1, xC1)
• From the graph: M
xA1 = 0.22 and
L0(0.35,0) = (xA0,
yA1 = 0.12;

L1 xA1 + V1 y A1 = MxAM

L1 (0.22) +V1 (0.12) = (800)(0.175)

L1 + 0.54V1 = 636.36 (i)

 From the graph:
xC1 = 0.03 and
yC1 = 0.87;

L1 xC1 + V1 yC1 = MxC M

L1 (0.03) +V1 (0.87) = (800)(0.5)

L1 + 29V1 = 1,333.33
(ii)
Solving eq(i) and eq(ii) to get L1 and V1;

L1 = 623.12kg and V1 = 24.49kg

xA1 = 0.22, y A1 = 0.12, xC1 = 0.03 and yC1 = 0.87

 Continuous multistage countercurrent
extraction
• In solvent extraction processes, in order to use less solvents
and obtain more concentrated exit extracts, counter current
multistage contacting is mostly employed.

• The fundamental principles of multistage gas-liquid absorption

is similar to countercurrent multistage liquid-liquid extraction.

• In multistage countercurrent extraction, the feed stream

containing the solute A to be extracted enters at one end of
the process and the solvent enters at the other end of the
process.
• The extract and raffinate flow counter currently from stage to
stage, and the final products are the extract stream V1 leaving
stage one and the raffinate stream LN leaving stage N.
 Countercurrent process and overall balance

An overall mass balance: L0 + VN +1 = LN + V1 = M 5.13

A balance on C: L0 xC 0 + VN +1 yC N +1 = LN xC N + V1 yC1 = MxC M 5.14

L0 xC 0 + V N +1 y CN +1 LN xCN + V1 y C1 5.15
Combining 5.13 and 5.14 x CM = =
L0 + V N +1 LN + V1
L0 x A0 + VN +1 y AN +1 LN x AN + V1 y A1
Balance on component A gives x AM = = 5.16
L0 + VN +1 LN + V1
 Countercurrent process and overall balance
1. Usually, L0 and VN+1 are known and the
desired exit composition xAN is set.
mixing line 2. Eqs (5.15) and (5.16) can be used to
calculate the coordinates of point M and
phase diagram, which ties together the
tie-line two entering streams Lo and VN+1 and
the two exit streams V1 and LN.
3. Plot points L0, VN+1, and M as in the
figure, a straight line called mixing line
must connect these three points (points
are collinear).
4. LN, M, and V1 must lie on one line
called tie line. Also, LN and V1 must also
lie on the phase envelope.
Flow rates of LN and V1 are related by mass balance. Compositions of LN and
V1 are also related by equilibrium.
Example 5.6

Pure solvent isopropyl ether at the rate of VN+1 = 600 kg/h is

being used to extract an aqueous solution of L0=200 kg/h
containing 30 wt% acetic acid (A) by countercurrent
multistage extraction. The desired exit acetic acid
concentration in the aqueous phase is 4%. Calculate the
compositions and amounts of the ether extract V1 and the
aqueous raffinate LN. Use equilibrium data from the table.
 Solution:
Given: VN+1 = 600kg/h, yAN+1 = 0, yCN+1 = 1.0,
L0 = 200kg/h, xA0 = 0.30, xB0 = 0.70, xC0 = 0, and xAN = 0.04.

Required: V1, LN, yA1, yB1, yC1 , xBN and xCN

Solution 1. In figure below, Plot VN+1 and L0.
2. Also, since LN is on the phase boundary, it can be plotted
at xAN = 0.04.
3. For the mixture point M, substituting into eqs (5.15 and
5.16), calculate the compositions of the mixing point,

L0 xC 0 + VN +1 yCN +1 200 (0) + 600 (1.0)

xCM = = = 0.75
L0 + VN +1 200 + 600

L0 x A0 + VN +1 y AN +1 200 (0.30) + 600 (0)

x AM = = = 0.075
L0 + VN +1 200 + 600
Using these coordinates,
1) Point M is plotted in Figure below.
2) We locate V1 by drawing a line from LN through M
and extending it until it intersects the phase
boundary. This gives
➢ yA1 = 0.08 and yC1 = 0.90.

3) For LN a value of xCN = 0.017 is

obtained.
4) by substituting into Eqs. 5.13 and
5.14 and solving,
➢ LN = 136 kg/h and
➢ V1 = 664 kg/h.
 Stage-to-stage calculations for countercurrent
extraction.
The next step after an overall material balance has been made is to
go stage by stage to determine the concentration at each stage and
the total number of stages N needed to reach LN

L0 + V2 = L1 + V1 5.17
Total mass balance on stage 1
Ln −1 + Vn +1 = Ln + Vn 5.18
Total mass balance on stage n
L0 − V1 = L1 − V2 =  5.19
From 5.16 obtain difference Δ in flows
Δ in kg/h is constant and for all stages

 = L0 − V1 = Ln − Vn+1 = LN − VN +1 = ....
5.20

x = L0 x0 − V1 y1 = Ln xn − Vn+1 y n+1 = LN x N − VN +1 y N +1 = ... 5.21

xΔ is the x coordinate of point Δ

L0 x0 − V1 y1 Ln xn − Vn+1 y n+1 LN x N − VN +1 y N +1
x = = = 5.22
L0 − V1 Ln − Vn+1 LN − VN +1
Eqns (5.19) and (5.20) can be written as

L0 =  + V1 Ln =  + Vn+1 LN =  + V N +1 5.23
Stage-to-stage calculations for countercurrent
extraction.
1. Δ is a point common to all streams
passing each other, such as L0 and V1,
Ln and Vn+1, Ln and Vn+1, LN and
VN+1, and so on.
2. This coordinates to locate this Δ
operating point are given for xcΔ and
xAΔ in eqn. 5.21. Since the end points
VN+1, LN or V1, and L0 are known, xΔ
can be calculated and point Δ located.
3. Alternatively, the Δ point is located
graphically in the figure as the
intersection of lines L0V1 and
LN VN+1.
 4. In order to step off the number of stages
using eqn. 5.23 we start at L0 and draw
the line L0Δ, which locates V1 on the
phase boundary.
V3
5. Next a tie line through V1 locates L1,
V2 which is in equilibrium with V1.
6. Then line L1Δ is drawn giving V2. The
tie line V2L2 is drawn. This stepwise
procedure is repeated until the
desired raffinate composition LN is
reached. The number of stages N is
obtained to perform the extraction.
N1
N2
Example 5.7
Pure isopropyl ether of 450 kg/h is being used to extract an
aqueous solution of 150 kg/h with 30 wt% acetic acid (A) by
countercurrent multistage extraction. The exit acid
concentration in the aqueous phase is 10 wt%. Calculate the
number of stages required.
Assignment (2 people/1 person)
Pure isopropyl ether of 500 kg/h is being used to extract an
aqueous solution of 250 kg/h with 30 wt% acetic acid (A) by
countercurrent multistage extraction. The exit acid
concentration in the aqueous phase is 10 wt%. Calculate the
number of stages required, and amount of LN and V1.
 Solution:
(yA1, yB1, yC1) (yA,N+1, yB,N+1, yC,N+1)

(xAo, xBo, xC0) (xAN, xBN, xCN)

Given: VN+1 = 450, yAN+1 = 0, yCN+1 = 1.0,

L0 = 150, xA0 = 0.30, xB0 = 0.70, xC0 = 0, and xAN = 0.10.

Required: Calculate the number of stages required.

 Solution (Cont.)
1. The points VN+1, L0, and LN are plotted in
Fig. below.
2. For the mixture point M, substituting
into eqs. 5.12 and 5.13,
xCM = 0.75 and
xAM = 0.075.
3. The point M is plotted and V1 is
located at the intersection of line LNM
with the phase boundary to give yA1 =
0.072 and yC1 = 0.895. This
construction is not shown.

4. The lines L0V1 and LNVN+1 are drawn

and the intersection is the operating
point Δ as shown.
Alternatively,
➢ the coordinates of Δ can be calculated from
eq. 5.21 to locate point Δ. LN

70
 Solution (Cont.)

5. Starting at L0 we draw line L0 Δ,

which locates V1. Then a tie line
through V1 locates L1 in equilibrium
with V1. (The tie-line data are
obtained from an enlarged plot.)
6. Line L1 Δ is next drawn locating V2. A
tie line through V2 gives L2.
7. A line L2 Δ is next drawn locating V2.
A tie line through V2 gives L2.
8. A line L2 Δ gives V3.
9. A final tie line gives L3, which has
gone beyond the desired LN. Hence,
about 2.5 theoretical stages are
L3 needed.
L N L2 L1

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Continuous multistage countercurrent extraction

Countercurrent-Stage Extraction with Immiscible Liquids

If the solvent stream VN+1 contains components A and C and the feed
stream L0 contains A and B and components B and C are relatively
immiscible in each other, the stage calculations are made more easily. The
solute A is relatively dilute and is being transferred from L0 to VN+1.
 x   y   x   y  5.23
L  0  + V  N +1  = L  N  + V  1 
 1 − x0   1 − y N +1   1 − xN   1 − y1 

 x   y   x   y  5.24
L  0  + V  n +1  = L  n  + V  1 
 1 − x0   1 − y n +1   1 − xn   1 − y1 
Where L’ = kg inert B/h, V’ = kg inert C/h, y = mass fraction A in V stream, and
x = mass fraction A in L stream. Eq.(5.24) is an operating-line equation whose
slope ≈ L’/V’. If y and x are quite dilute, the line will be straight when plotted on an
xy diagram.
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Ex ample 5.8
An inlet water solution of 100 kg/h containing 0.010 wt fraction nicotine
(A) in water is stripped with a kerosene stream of 200 kg/h containing
0.0005 wt fraction nicotine in a countercurrent stage tower. The water and
kerosene are essentially immiscible in each other. It is desired to reduce
the concentration of the exit water to 0.0010 wt fraction nicotine.
Determine the theoretical number of stages needed. The equilibrium data
are as follows (C5), with x the weight fraction of nicotine in the water
solution and y in the kerosene.

x y x y
0.00101 0 0.000806 0.00746 0.00682
0.00246 0.001959 0.00988 0.00904
0.00500 0.00454 0.0202 0.0185

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 Solution:
The given values are
L0 = 100 kg/h, x0 = 0.010,
VN+1 = 200 kg/h, yN+1 = 0.0005,
xN = 0.0010.
The inert streams are

L = L(1 − x) = L0 (1 − x0 ) = 100(1 − 0.010) = 99.0kg water/hr

V ' = V (1 − y) = VN +1 (1 − y N +1 ) = 200(1 − 0.0005) = 199.9kg kerosene/hr

Making an overall balance on A using eq. 5.23 and solving, y1 = 0.00497.

These end points on the operating line are plotted in Fig. below.

Since the solutions are quite dilute, the line is straight.

The equilibrium line is also shown. The number of stages are stepped off,
giving N = 3.8 theoretical stages.
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