Chemical Engineering Separation Operation

 Separation Operation or process refers to a technique done to achieve any mass transfer

occurrence that converts a mixture of substances into two or more individual product mixtures.
 Separations may differ in chemical properties or physical properties such as size, shape, mass,
density, between the constituents of a mixture. It consists of different techniques like
distillation, extraction, zone refining etc..
 The separation methods are divided according the nature of the mixture to be treated. There are
two kinds of mixtures: heterogeneous and homogeneous. In heterogeneous mixtures, two or
more phases mix, but remain physically separate. Heterogeneous mixtures can include mixtures
consisting of (i) two liquids, (ii) a solid and a liquid, (iii) a liquid and a gas, or even (iv) a gas and a
solid. In a homogeneous mixture, the constituent phases are indistinguishable, having merged
into a single uniform phase, with its original parts undetectable even at very high magnification.
Solutions have only one phase and the most common solutions are liquids, although there can be
solutions of gases (air) and solids (alloys).

Types of Chemical Engineering Separation Operation

Separation of heterogeneous mixtures

 Decantation Separation of homogeneous fluid mixtures
 Hydrocyclones  Separation by phase addition or creation
 Settling  Separations by barriers
 Sedimentation  Separations by solid agents
 Flotation  Separations by external field or gradient
 Centrifugal separation
 Filtration
 Wet scrubbers Separation processes for homogeneous
 Leaching/Washing solutions
 Solid drying  Flash vaporization and partial
condensation
 Distillation
 Evaporation
 Drying of solutions, slurries and pastes
 Extraction
 Crystallization/Precipitation
 Membranes

References:
Chemical Engineering Separation Process.(2017). Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org, June 15, 2019.
Nappa, M. and Sorsamäki, L. (2015). Design and Selection of Separation Processes. Retrieved from
https://www.vtt.fi/inf/julkaisut/muut/2015/VTT-R-06143-15.pdf, June 15, 2019.
Wankat, P. (2011). Introduction to Separation Process Engineering. Retrieved from http://www.informit.com, June 15,
2019.