Liquid Liquid Extraction

Ternary Diagram

Engr M Omar
Equilateral triangular diagram
Right triangle diagram
Equilibrium solute diagram in mass fraction
Equilibrium solute diagram in mass ratio
Janecke diagram
Lever rule Mix P and Q
► mixture = K
PK mass
► Q
KQ = mass
P
► The converse
applies also:
when a
settled
mixture
separates into
P and Q
► Applies
anywhere:
even in the
miscible 27
Using the lever rule

Mix a feed stream, F , containing C and A (i.e. xF ) with a

pure solvent stream S (i.e. yS = 0). Composition of the
8
Going to equilibrium

Let that mixture M achieve equilibrium. What is the

composition of the raffinate and extract?
9
Altering flows Recovery =
fraction of
solute
recovered
For 1
stage
(xR)(R)
1
− (xF )(F )

Specifically

(xR,A )(R)
1−
(xF ,A )(F )

10
Composition of the
mixture, M ?

Fee Solvent
d = 250 kg
F S = 100 kg
xF,A = 0.24 xS,A = 0.0
xF,C = 0.76 xS,C = 0.0
xF,S = 0.00 xS,S = 1.0

Answer: M =
x M,A = xM,C = xM,S =
32
Composition of the 2 phases
leaving in equilibrium?

Fee Solvent
d = 250 kg
F S = 100 kg
xF,A = 0.24 xS,A = 0.0
xF,C = 0.76 xS,C = 0.0
xF,S = 0.00 xS,S = 1.0

R1 = xR1,A = xR1,C = xR1,S =

E1 =
yE ,A = yE ,C = yE ,S = 12
Example 4.7
Determine extract and raffinate compositions when a 45 wt%
glycol (B)–55 wt% water (A) solution is contacted with twice its
weight of pure furfural solvent (C) at 25C and 101 kPa. Use each
of the above five diagrams if possible.
Co-current multiple stage process with
Partially miscible solvents

Multiple contact with fresh solvent on each stage

Co-current multiple stage process
Immiscible solvents
If distribution law is followed then equilibrium curve
becomes a straight line. Then solute balance
 For n stages;

And the number of stages ‘n’;

Counter-current units
Immiscible solvents

18
Counter-current units
Immiscible solvents

Four stages are required for above case.

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Two counter-current units
Partially miscible solvents

Consider N = 2 stages for now. Steady state mass balance:

F + E2 = R1 + E1 R1 + S = R2 + E2

Rearrange:
F − E1 = R1 − E2 R1 − E2 = R2 − S

(F − E1 ) = (R1 − E2 ) = (R2 − S ) = P
Note: each difference is equal to P (look on the flow sheet
above where those differences are).
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Counter-current graphical solution:
2 units

Rearranging again:
F = E1 + P
R1 = E2 +
P R2 = S
+ P
Interpretation: P is a fictitious operating point on the
ternary diagram (from lever rule)
► F
► R2isisononthe
theline
linethat
thatconnects
connectsES
1 and
and P
► P 1 is on the line that connects E2 and P
R 21
Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
*Step 1
Feed Solvent
F = 250 kg S = 100 kg
xF,A = 0.24 xS,A = 0.0
xF,C = 0.76 xS,C = 0.0
xF,S = 0.00 xS,S = 1.0

Overall balance gives:

M = S + F = E1 + R2

For example, let’s require xR2,A = 0.05 (solute concentration in

raffinate). Given an S flow rate, what is yE ,A? (concentration of solute 45
Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 2

* Note: the line connecting

E1 to R2 is not a tie
line. We use the lever
rule and an overall mass
balance
* (F + S = E1 + R2) to
* solve for all flows and
compositions of F , S,
Simply connect R2 and M and project out toE E,1. and R .
1 2
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Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 3

Recall:
F = E1 + P
F is on the line that connects E1 and P

R2 = S + P
R2 is on the line that connects S and P

Extrapolate through these lines until intersection at point P.

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Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 4

Once we have E1, we can start: note that in stage 1 the R1 and
E1 48
Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 5

Again recall:
R1 = E2 + P
R1 is on the line that connects E2 and P

Since we have point P and R1 we can bring the operating line

back and locate point E2 49
Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 6

The last unit in a cascade is a special case: we already know

RN=2, but we could have also calculated it from the tie line with
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E . We aim for some overshoot of R . (Good agreement in this
In general: Counter-current units

F + E2 = E1 + R1 E2 + R2 = E3 + R1 En + Rn = En+1
Rearrange: + Rn− 1
F − E1 = R1 − R1 − E2 = R2 − Rn− 1 −En = Rn −En+1
E2 E3

(F − E1 ) = (R1 − E2 ) = . . . = (Rn− 1 − En ) = (Rn − En+1 ) = . . . = (RN −

S)= P

Notes:
1.
2. each difference
En and is equal
Rn are in to P (the
equilibrium, difference
leaving between
each stage [via flows)
tie 51
Counter-current graphical
solution

1. We know F and S ; connect with 5. Connect S through RN and

a line and locate “mixture” M extrapolate
2. Either specify E1 or RN (we will 6. Connect E1 through F and
always know one of them) extrapolate; cross lines at P
3. Connect a straight line through 7. Locate P by intersection of
M 2 lines
passing through the one 8. In general: connect En and Rn via
52
specified
Counter-current graphical
solution: 2 units
* Step 3(b)

Recall:
F + P = E1

R2 + P = S

Thought experiment: What is the minimal achievable E1

concentration? mentally move point M towards S . What happens to
P as solvent flow S is increased? 63
Counter-current graphical
solution: maximum solvent flow
* Step 3(b)

Recall:
F + P = E1

R2 + P = S

Subtle point: minimal achievable E1 min

► note that R2 is fixed (specified) in this example
concentration:
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Link units in series
(Cross flow stages)

[Richardson and Harker, p 723]

Introduce fresh solvent each

time
32
Send raffinate to second
mixer-settler

Question: how much solvent should we use in the second

stage? 33
Recap: Cross-flow arrangements
N = 3 in this ► Recovery = fraction of
illustration
solute recovered

(xRN )(RN )
1
− (xF )(F )

► Concentration of overall extract

= solute leaving in each extract
stream, divided by total extract
flow rate

[Schweitzer, p 1-263] 36
Review from last time

35
Review from last time

36
Review from last time

37
Cross-current
current
* Cross-current (N = 2 stages)
► We combine multiple
extract streams
► (Only 2 in illustration)
► In general: yE1 > yE2
>...
► Fresh solvent added at
each stage
vs counter-
Counter-current (N = 2 stages)
► “Re-use” the solvent, so
► Far lower solvent flows
(xRN )(RN )
► Recovery = 1
− (xF )(F )
► Concentration = yE1
► How many stages? What
solvent flow?
38
What we are aiming for
General approach:
1. Use ternary diagrams to determine operating lines
2. Estimate number of “theoretical plates” or
“theoretical stages”
3. Convert “theoretical stages” to actual equipment size. E.g.
assume we calculate that we need N ≈ 6 theoretical
stages.
► does not mean we require 6 mixer-settlers (though we
could do that, but costly)
► it means we need a column which has equivalent operation
of 6 counter-current mixer-settlers that fully reach
equilibrium at this point we resort to correlations and vendor
assistance
► vendors: provide HETS = height equivalent to a
theoretical stage
► use that to size the column

► HETS × number of theoretical stages 39

For example

[WINTRAY (Japanese company; newly patented design)]

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