Extension of Thermodynamic Insights on Batch Extractive Distillation to Continuous Operation. 1. Azeotropic Mixtures with a Heavy Entrainer

We have studied the batch and continuous extractive distillation of minimum- and maximum-boiling azeotropic mixtures with a heavy entrainer. These systems exhibit class 1.0-1a and 1.0-2 ternary diagrams, each with two subcases depending on the location of the univolatility line. The feasible product and feasible ranges of the operating parameters reflux ratio (R) and entrainer/feed flow rate ratio for continuous (FE/F) and batch (FE/V) operation were assessed. Class 1.0-1a processes allow the recovery of only one product because of the location of the univolatility line above a minimum value of the entrainer/feed flow rate ratio for both batch and continuous processes. A minimum reflux ratio R also exists. For an identical target purity, the minimum feed ratio is higher for the continuous process than for the batch process, for the continuous process where stricter feasible conditions arise because the composition profile of the stripping section must intersect that of the extractive section. Class 1.0-2 mixtures allow either A or B to be obtained as a product, depending on the feed location. Then, the univolatility line location sets limiting values for either the maximum or minimum of the feed ratio FE/F. Again, the feasible range of operating parameters for the continuous process is smaller than that for the batch process. Entrainer comparison in terms of minimum reflux ratio and minimum entrainer/feed ratio is enabled by the proposed methodology.