Department of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
CHE 42
Separations Processes
Problem Set 7: Leaching

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: This problem set must be done individually. For each items/sub-item in the problem, you
must do the following:

• Draw the schematic diagram/representation of the process that is ongoing. The diagram must include the
known values and unknown variables to be determined.
• The entire solution process (i.e., mole balances, the list of equations used, sample calculations, etc.) must
be manually handwritten. A screenshot of these handwritten solutions must be pasted in the document.
• For the steps wherein iteration/use of Solver function is required, you may encode the necessary data or
do the screenshots of the steps performed in MS Excel.
• Equilibrium diagrams must be constructed using MS Excel.
• Graphical solutions should be done manually.
• I encourage you to make your solutions have an organized flow by putting “Step number #” on it.
Example:
Step 1: Collect all the necessary physico-chemical data for the design of the flash drum.
Step 2: Compute for the permissible velocity of the drum.
• Conclude each sub-item/item by making a summary of the required answers placed or enclosed in a box.
The file must be saved and submitted as a PDF file. Please keep your MS Excel files because I will ask for them soon
as part of your deliverables:

File Name Format Example: CHE42A_ProblemSet7_Ayuban

Word Problems:
1. Countercurrent Multistage Washing of Ore (Constant Underflow). Answer Example 12.10-3 in your
Geankoplis book.
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.
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.

CHE 42 – Separations Processes – Problem Set 6: Liquid – Liquid Extraction Page 1 of 2

 Department of Chemical Engineering
College of Engineering
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

Solution concentration
Solution retained by 1 lb
retained in underflow.
exhausted livers (gal)
(gal oil/gal solution)
0.035 0
0.042 0.1
0.050 0.2
0.058 0.3
0.068 0.4
0.081 0.5
0.099 0.6
0.120 0.68

4. Countercurrent Leaching of Oil from Meal. Repeat Example 12.10-1 in Geankoplis book.
5. Effect of Less Solvent Flow in Leaching Oil from Meal. Answer Problem 12.10-2 in Geankoplis book.
6. Leaching of Oil from Soybeans in a Single-Stage. Answer Problem 12.9-1 in Geankoplis book.

CHE 42 – Separations Processes – Problem Set 6: Liquid – Liquid Extraction Page 2 of 2