In a multicomponent system separation by distillation, the concentration profiles in each plates can be predicted by using the plate efficiencies of each binary systems which is selected in the multicomponent system. The concentration profiles of the multicomponent system, predicted from the plate efficiencies of the binary systems, were compared with the concentration profiles measured in the multicomponent system.
Three methods were used to predict the concentration profiles in each plates of the multicomponent system; as follows,
1) general solution of Maxwell-Stefan equation
2) solution of Maxwell-Stefan equation based on linearized theory
3) the assumption on the binary systems with the same plate efficiencies.
The concentration profiles in each plates were obtained in a 50 mm diameter, 4 plates sieve-plate column with a ternary system, Aceton/Methanol/Water. To predict concentration profiles in the ternary system, the plate efficiencies of three binary systems, Aceton/Methanol, Methanol/Water and Aceton/Water were used.
Followings can be concluded by this study. In binary systems, each plate efficiencies is different and depend on concentrations. The concentration profiles in each plate obtained by general solution of Maxwell-Stefan equation based on linearized theory by using binary system efficiencies are in good agreement with the concentration profiles measured in the sieve-plate column. In contrast, the assumption of the same plate efficiency in binary systems gives large errors in the concentration profiles.
