Sample Problem #4:

Water is to be used in a single equilibrium

stage to dissolve 1,350 kg/h of Na2CO3 from
3,750 kg/h of a solid, where the balance is an
insoluble oxide. If 4,000 kg/h of water is used
and the underflow from the stage is 40 wt%
solvent on a solute-free basis, compute the
flow rates and compositions of the overflow
and underflow. The residence time is only
sufficient to leach 80% of the carbonate.

Solution:

4000 kg/h
V0 V1
SLE
L0 L1
3750 kg/h 40wt% solvent
1350 kg/h Na2CO3 (dissolved) solute-free

* 80% Na2CO3 dissolution

 inert = 3750 – 1350 = 2400 kg/h

Prob4.53 Seader
Solution (contd):

 dissolved solute = 0.8(1350) = 1080 kg/h

 undissolved solute = 0.2(1350) = 270 kg/h

 total solids in L1
= inert + undissolved solute
= 2400 + 270 = 2670 kg/h

 Equilibrium condition:
1080
y1A   0.2126
1080  4000

 Total solids balance:

2670= (1 – 0.4)[(1 - x )L1 + 270] 1
A

= 0.6[(1 - x )L1 + 270] 1

A (1)

 Solute balance:
x L = x L + y V
0 1 1
0 A
1 1 A A

1350 = x L1 + 0.2126V1 1
A (2)

Prob4.53 Seader
Solution (contd):

 Total balance:
V1 + L1 = V0 + L0
V1 + L1 = 4000 + 3750 = 7750 (3)

 Solving (1)-(3):
L1 = 4930.6 kg/h
V1 = 2819.4 kg/h
x = 0.1522
1
A

Prob4.53 Seader