Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

2000, 39, 1539-1545 1539

Optimization of a Wastewater System Containing the Ternary

Homogeneous Azeotropic System Ethyl Acetate-Ethanol-Water

Ian A. Furzer†

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia

A wastewater stream containing minor amounts of ethyl acetate and ethanol could produce
clean water with a low solvent composition by the use of direct steam injection or by the use of
a distillation column. A problem that arises in this system is the approach to a homogeneous
azeotrope in the distillate as the number of ideal stages is increased. Higher compositions of
ethanol can be produced at low distillate flow rates by limiting the number of ideal stages. The
prediction of the azeotrope in this system requires new UNIFAC vapor-liquid equilibrium
interaction parameters, which have been determined. Simulation of a distillation column at
total reflux then predicts a maximum in the ethanol composition which could be recovered and
recycled in the plant. The value of this recycled ethanol can exceed the steam operating costs
for the wastewater plant. A cost optimization shows that there is a cost-feasible region that
satisfies the composition constraints when the reflux ratio is between 10 and 30, with low D/F
ratios, for an eight-stage column. The procedures outlined in this paper could be expected to be
general and to apply to other ternary systems that exhibit a homogeneous azeotrope.

Introduction equilibrium, summation, and enthalpy (MESH) equa-

tions, given by
A major review of azeotropic distillation covering the
methodologies in the synthesis, design, analysis, and Stage 1

{ }
control of separation sequences involving homogeneous K1,i K2,iV F1
and heterogeneous azeotropic systems has been com- F1,i ) (RD - V) - 1 x1,i + x2,i + xF,1,i
pleted by Widagdo and Seider.1 Further extensions have L L L
been made by Stichlmair and Fair.2 The review covers i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (1)
distillation lines which show the liquid composition path nC

∑
at total reflux on a triangular diagram. These distilla-
tion lines are often shown as continuous lines to F1,nC+1 ) 1 - x1,i (2)
i)1
demonstrate the feasibility of a separation in the
presence of stable and unstable nodes and saddle points. Stage n

{ } { }
Computation of distillation lines with a finite number
Kn,iV Kn+1,iV
of ideal stages in the column leads to a series of discrete Fn,i ) Lxn-1,i - + 1 xn,i + xn+1,i +
points representing the liquid compositions at total L L
reflux on the stage. Linking of these discrete points by Fn
lines leads to a discontinuous distillation line, with x i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (3)
L F,n,i
gradient changes on each side of a discrete composition
nC
point. It is useful to describe this type of distillation line
as a discrete distillation line or a stagewise distillation Fn,nC+1 ) 1 - ∑ xn,i (4)
line. These lines are normally only used for ternary i)1
systems on a triangular diagram. The extension to a Stage N

{ }
quaternary system becomes visually complex but can
be viewed on a 3D rotating computer image. For four L KN,iV FN
or more components in the system, it is possible to plot FN,i ) xN-1,i - + 1 xN,i + xF,N,i
LN LN LN
the composition profile along the column, but this does
not provide the visual impact of directed discrete i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (5)
distillation lines in a ternary system, pointing toward nC
a ternary azeotrope. The complexities of these distilla-
tion lines when multiple steady states occur have been
FN,nC+1 ) 1 - ∑
i)1
xN,i i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (6)
outlined by Esbjerg.3
Error Condition

x∑ ∑
Discrete Distillation Lines at Total Reflux N nC+1
1
Process simulation studies of multicomponent distil- e Fn,i2 i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (7)
lation columns are based on the solution of the mass, N(nC + 1) n)1 i)1

The solution of the equations follows the block tridiago-

† E-mail: furzer@furzer.chem.eng.usyd.edu.au. nal procedure given by Furzer.4
10.1021/ie990133x CCC: $19.00 © 2000 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 04/27/2000
1540 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000
The K values and the temperature and composition
gradients use the UNIFAC method as given by
γn,iPSi
Kn,i ) i ) 1, 2, ..., nC n ) 1, 2, ..., N (8)
Pn
{ }
∂Kn,i 1 ∂PSi ∂γn,i
) γn,i + PSi
∂T P ∂T ∂T
The UNIFAC method is based on
C R
ln γn,i ) ln γn,i + ln γn,i
R
ln γn,i ) ∑νiR{ln Γk - ln Γik}
Equation 11 contains a term that includes the interac-
tion parameters amn.
Ψmn ) exp{-amn/T}
Operation of these process simulation packages at
high reflux ratios provides an approach to the stage
compositions at total reflux. The system equations at
total reflux result in modifications to the normal MESH
equations. For example, there are no feed, distillate, or
bottoms streams when columns are operated at total
reflux. The initial charge to the column provides an
initial mass balance for each component which must be
conserved when the column reaches steady-state condi-
tions at total reflux. The deviation functions to satisfy
this condition are
N
∑ mnxn,i - FxF,i
FN,i ) i ) 1, 2, ..., nC
n)1
Cairns and Furzer5 have modified the Naphtali-
Sandholm approach by introducing the initial conserved
charge, given by eq 13, and the total reflux deviation
functions, given as follows:
Fn,i ) yn+1,i - xn,i n ) 1, 2, ..., N; i ) 1, 2, ..., nC
(14)
Solution of this modified set of MESH equations pro-
vides the simulated or predicted liquid compositions on
ideal stages in the column under total reflux conditions.
Input to this total distillation program requires the
input of the distribution of the holdup in the distillation
system.
The system ethyl acetate-ethanol-water forms a
minimum boiling point homogeneous azeotrope, with
a composition of x(EtAc) ) 0.595 (mole fraction),
x(EtOH) ) 0.115, and x(W) ) 0.290 at a total pressure
of P ) 101.3 kPa. The use of the UNIFAC group
contribution thermodynamic model to predict the vapor-
liquid equilibrium (VLE) data in this system uses VLE
main groups 1, 5, 7, and 11, corresponding to the CH2,
OH, H2O, and CCOO groups. The deviation functions
for an azeotrope are given by
F1,i ) y1,i - x1,i i ) 1, 2, ..., nC
The use of a single-stage, multicomponent flash
program using the UNIFAC VLE interaction param-
eters fails to find a solution to eq 15. An important
consequence of this negative result is that the homo-
Table 1. New UNIFAC VLE Interaction Parameters
main groupsa
1 5 7 11
1 0.0 2491.52 475.67 20.401
5 330.61 0.0 92.486 75.488
7 255.97 93.919 0.0 72.000
11 688.60 255.26 395.45 0.0
(9) a Main groups: 1, CH2; 5, OH; 7, H2O; 11, CCOO.
geneous ternary azeotrope in the ethyl acetate-etha-
nol-water system cannot be predicted by the use of the
(10) UNIFAC VLE interaction parameters. When the total
reflux distillation program is run with the UNIFAC
(11) VLE parameters, discrete distillation lines are gener-
ated which do not terminate at the ternary homoge-
neous azeotrope. The generation of additional discrete
distillation lines using UNIFAC VLE interaction pa-
rameters could be expected to generate low-quality
(12) process simulation results, which would be unsatisfac-
tory for chemical engineering design.
Furzer6 has collected a wide range of experimental
VLE data in the system ethyl acetate-ethanol-water
and determined a new set of UNIFAC VLE interaction
parameters for the main groups 1, 5, 7, and 11 by a data
regression analysis. Table 1 shows this new set of
interaction parameters.
A single-stage, multicomponent flash program con-
verges accurately on the ternary homogeneous azeotrope
with these new UNIFAC VLE interaction parameters.
A total reflux distillation program with a large number
of ideal stages generates a set of discrete distillation
lines which point toward or approach the ternary
homogeneous azeotrope. The root-mean-square (RMS)
(13) error in the vapor compositions is satisfactory for the
collection of ternary experimental VLE data, and this
new set of UNIFAC VLE interaction parameters could
be used for chemical engineering design. Experimental
VLE data are not available when one of the components
in the ternary mixture is very dilute, and UNIFAC with
the new discrete distillation line VLE interaction pa-
rameters is needed to predict VLE data in these special
dilute regions.
Figure 1 shows discrete distillation lines generated
by the total reflux distillation program using the new
UNIFAC VLE interaction parameters, for eight ideal
stages in the column, and different initial charges to
the column. These lines are limited in their approach
to the ternary homogeneous azeotrope, with only eight
ideal stages. A deeper approach requires an increase in
ideal stages and would crowd the figure. Discrete
distillation lines only show the liquid compositions on
the stages. The enriched vapor from the top stage is
totally condensed and refluxed to the column. This
additional enrichment is not shown on these discrete
distillation lines. A characteristic of the lines is the very
large composition changes from stage to stage in certain
regions of the VLE composition space. Because of these
large composition changes, discrete distillation lines can
intersect. The set of predicted discrete distillation lines
is a more complex package than simple, separated,
(15) smooth distillation lines shown in sketches. The discrete
distillation lines also show a maximum composition of
ethanol at intermediate stages in the column. Several
of the lines shown in Figure 1 show ethanol composi-
tions in excess of 0.600 (mole fraction) at these maxima.
The actual positions of the maxima are highly depend-
 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000 1541

Figure 1. Discrete distillation lines at total reflux: ethyl acetate- Figure 2. Dilute composition region at total reflux: ethyl
ethanol-water. acetate-ethanol-water.

ent on the K values in this nonideal liquid mixture.

Maxima in composition profiles along the column are
well-known for a component of intermediate volatility.
Furzer4 shows a maximum composition for toluene in a
mixture of benzene-toluene-xylene. The location of this
maximum composition at a particular stage indicates
the possibility of withdrawing a side stream from the
column at this stage.
The other important characteristic of the discrete
distillation lines, shown in Figure 1 is the approach to
the origin, or high-purity water composition, along the
axis where ethyl acetate approaches zero composition.
Experimental data7-9 on the composition profile along
the column, stage efficiencies, and froth heights have
been observed. This set of discrete distillation lines
approaching the origin in the same manner indicates
ethyl acetate could be readily removed from wastewater
streams containing dilute amounts of mixed solvents
ethyl acetate and ethanol. Distillation or steam strip-
ping of wastewater streams containing ethyl acetate and
ethanol needs to be investigated so that a proper
comparison can be made with alternative treatment
methods, such as membrane separation, adsorption
technology, and biotreatment. Figure 2 shows a detailed Figure 3. K values for components on the stages at total reflux:
ethyl acetate-ethanol-water.
examination of the discrete distillation lines, predicted
by the new UNIFAC VLE interaction parameters at
extreme dilution, for several initial composition charges results in the easy stripping of ethyl acetate from the
to the column. Both the compositions of ethyl acetate wastewater. These characteristics of the discrete distil-
and ethanol can be reduced below 10 ppm in an eight- lation lines would indicate that a distillate could be
stage column. If the K values are constant in this dilute obtained near the maximum ethanol composition and
region, then it can be shown that the slope of the line a bottoms with a low ethanol composition. This would
on the log-log plot in Figure 2 is given by provide a solvent recovery stream containing ethanol
which would have value, plus a wastewater stream with
ln[K(EtOH)] an ethanol composition to meet a specification. The
s) (16) unusual feature of the split of components in the
ln[K(EtAc)] wastewater stream is the limitation on the number of
ideal stages in the column. If a large number of ideal
Figure 3 shows the predicted K values under these stages was used, then the discrete distillation line would
dilute conditions. Constant K values are predicted in extend beyond the maximum ethanol composition and
the lower stages of an eight-stage column. The K value approach the ternary azeotrope, which could be of
for ethyl acetate is high compared with ethanol and reduced value.
1542 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000

Discrete Distillation Lines at a Finite Reflux

When a distillation column is operated with feed,
distillate, and bottoms streams, it operates with a finite
reflux ratio (R) and a distillate drawoff rate given by
the D/F ratio. For wastewater streams containing low
amounts of solvent, the D/F ratio is small to obtain high
compositions of solvents. Process simulation packages
give the liquid compositions on all stages in the column
plus the distillate composition. Discrete distillation lines
at a finite reflux ratio are given by these connected
liquid composition points. A set of these particular
distillation lines has many similar characteristics to a
set of these lines at total reflux.
The overall column mass balances for each component
about the column are given by

FxF,i ) DxD,i + BxB,i i ) 1, 2, ..., nC (17)

For a ternary system, eq 17 can be represented by a

straight line through the composition points F, D, and
B on the triangular diagram. For a wastewater system
it is useful to investigate the limiting split of no solvents
in the bottoms, wastewater stream and no water in the
distillate. If components 1 and 2 are identified with
ethyl acetate and ethanol, respectively, the summation
of the solvent mass balances in eq 17 yields
F(xF,1 + xF,2) ) D(xD,1 + xD,2) (18)
xD,1 + xD,2 ) 1 (19)
D/F ) xF,1 + xF,2 (20)
If the summation of the small compositions of solvents
in the wastewater feedstream is 1%, then the D/F ratio
to achieve this limiting case would be
D/F ) 0.010 (21)
If a process simulation study of a distillation column
is made with this D/F ratio, then the discrete distillation
lines at a finite reflux ratio point toward a distillate with
a composition of the ternary homogeneous azeotrope.
If the split given by eq 18 was achieved, then the
distillate composition for solvents would be given by
xF,i
xD,i ) i ) 1, 2 (22)
D/F
This distillate composition cannot be achieved because
of the influence of the ternary homogeneous azeotrope.
It is useful to describe this limiting composition split
as providing a nonfeasible distillate composition at this
particular D/F ratio given by eq 20.
Figure 4 shows a part of the triangular diagram, with
an overall mass balance line for a column, passing
through the bottoms, containing pure water, at the
origin and the nonfeasible value for the distillate
composition for the complete separation of the solvents.
The feed enters with solvent compositions
xF(EtAc) ) 0.0020 (23)
xF(EtOH) ) 0.0100 (24)
The limiting D/F ratio from eq 20 is given by
D/F ) 0.0120 (25)
Figure 4. Discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux ratio. Effect
of the D/F ratio: xF(EtAc) ) 0.0020; xF(EtOH) ) 0.0100.
The discrete distillation lines at a reflux ratio of 30
have been generated for a column with eight ideal
stages, the feed on ideal stage 4, and the D/F ratio set
to 0.0120. Figure 4 shows this line with the distillate
composition to the right of the overall mass balance line.
The separation requirement of a solvent-free bottoms
stream cannot be met at this D/F ratio. It is necessary
to increase the D/F ratio to improve the separation. This
results in a dilution of the distillate with water, so a
water-free distillate cannot be achieved. It also results
in the bottoms stream approaching a solvent-free condi-
tion. Figure 4 shows that the actual D/F ratio of 0.0175
results in a distillate composition lying on the overall
mass balance line. Higher values of D/F also lead to the
same result but with a decreased solvent composition
in the distillate. Considerable experience is needed to
select a suitable D/F ratio to achieve a desired separa-
tion, when the discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux
can curve away from the expected overall mass balance
line and point toward the azeotrope.
Variation in the feed composition of solvents will have
an important effect on the D/F ratio as shown below.
Figure 5 shows a similar result when the feed composi-
tion of solvents is increased to
xF(EtAc) ) 0.0080 (26)
xF(EtOH) ) 0.0400 (27)
D/F ) 0.0480 (28)
The discrete distillation line at a reflux ratio of 30
shows deviations from the overall mass balance line
when the D/F ratio is set to 0.0480. An increase in the
D/F ratio to 0.070 is required before the separation is
satisfactory.
Figure 6 shows the results for reduced feed composi-
tions of ethyl acetate, when a D/F ratio of 0.0420 is
required for a complete separation, but a D/F ratio of
0.0600 is required before the separation is satisfactory.
 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000 1543

Figure 5. Discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux ratio. Feed Figure 7. Discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux ratio: effect
composition change: xF(EtAc) ) 0.0080; xF(EtOH) ) 0.0400. of reflux ratio.

Table 2. Optimization Results for the D/F Ratio (Number

of Stages ) 8; Pressure(Condenser) ) 101.325 kPa)
feed composition x D/F ratio
example EtAc EtOH limiting actual figure
1 0.0020 0.0100 0.0120 0.0175 4
2 0.0080 0.0400 0.0480 0.0700 5
3 0.0020 0.0400 0.0420 0.0600 6

impact of the discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux

ratio and their termination on the overall mass balance
line for a satisfactory separation provide process simu-
lators with good initial conditions to begin a process
optimization study. Because of the need for a hard
specification of reduced solvent composition in the
bottoms, it is useful to verify if these specifications can
be met, by the selected reflux ratio. Figure 8 shows the
bottoms composition of ethanol, when the feed composi-
tions are given by eqs 29 and 30, for various reflux
ratios. There is a rapid decline in the ethanol bottoms
composition with an increase in the reflux ratio. If an
ethanol bottoms composition of 10 ppm was specified,
then the reflux ratio would need to be increased to 12.

Figure 6. Discrete distillation lines at a finite reflux ratio. Feed
composition change: xF(EtAc) ) 0.0020; xF(EtOH) ) 0.0400.
xF(EtAc) ) 0.0020 (29)
xF(EtOH) ) 0.0400 (30)
D/F ) 0.0420 (31)
The results of the three simulation runs on different
feed compositions are given in Table 2.
Figure 7 is for solvent feed compositions given by eqs
29 and 30 with the D/F ratio set to 0.0600 and the reflux
ratio varied. At high reflux ratios from 10 to 30 the
separation is satisfactory. When the reflux ratio is set
at 1, 2, or 3, considerable deviations from the overall
mass balance line occur. A reflux ratio of 5 is required
before there is a reasonable approach to the overall mass
balance line and a satisfactory separation. The visual
Azeotropic Column Cost Optimization
A wastewater distillation column may contain a
steam-heated reboiler or use direct-injected steam. For
an existing wastewater column with a fixed capital cost,
it is possible to optimize the steam costs by recovering
valuable solvents. The operating cost of steam will be
the major operating cost in the wastewater plant. It can
be shown that the steam-to-feed ratio (S/F) is given by
S/F ) (R + 1)(D/F) (32)
Increased steam operating costs (COP) will be associ-
ated with increases in both R and the D/F ratio. If the
cost of steam (CS) is known at the plant, then
COP/F ) CS(S/F) (33)
COP/F ) CS(R + 1)(D/F) (34)
1544 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000
Figure 8. Bottoms composition of ethanol: effect of reflux ratio.
It is useful to consider the value of the ethanol content
in the recovered distillate. A recycled distillate stream
can reduce the purchase costs of ethanol (CEtOH) in an
ethyl acetate reactor or reactive distillation column. The
equivalent revenue (CREV) is obtained from the replace-
ment of purchase costs of ethanol by
CREV/F ) CEtOH(D/F)xD(EtOH) (35)
A cost objective function (C) can be established by
CREV COP
C) - (36)
F F
When the cost function is positive, the wastewater
plant is generating a positive cash flow condition. When
the cost function is zero, there is a break-even condition,
which is of particular importance in considering the
design of wastewater plants. Equations 34, 35, and 36
at this break-even point give
R ) (CEtOH/CS)xD(EtOH) - 1 (37)
if
CEtOH/CS ) 40 (38)
and
xD(EtOH) ) 0.600 (39)
then R ) 23.
If xD(EtOH) was increased to 0.700 mole fraction, the
break-even value of R would be 27. A break-even cost
point is reached in the wastewater plant when the reflux
ratio is 23 and the distillate composition contains 0.600
mole fraction of ethanol. If the wastewater column is
operated at a reflux ratio of less than 23, it would
generate a cost profit on ethanol recovered and recycled.
However, it would need to satisfy the constraints on
ethanol composition in the distillate and ethanol com-
position in the bottoms. The problem can be expressed
as an objective function
Figure 9. Composition constraint diagram: ethyl acetate-
ethanol-water.
C ) CEtOH(D/F)xD(EtOH) - CS(R + 1)(D/F) (40)
subject to the constraints
xD(EtOH) g 0.600 mole fraction (41)
xB(EtOH) e 10 ppm (42)
Figure 9 shows the constraints on the distillate and
bottoms for ethanol. To satisfy the constraints given by
eqs 41 and 42, it is necessary to operate in the upper
left rectangle with two sides bounded by the constraints.
A process simulation study with solvent feed composi-
tions given by eqs 29 and 30 provides the distillate and
bottoms compositions for ethanol at various reflux ratios
and D/F ratios. Figure 9 shows the linked discrete liquid
composition points at reflux ratios of 20 and 30 to cover
the cost break-even conditions when the reflux ratio is
between 23 and 27. Both of these lines pass through
the feasible solution region at the cost break-even
condition. The optimal or maximum profit on the cost
function given by eq 40 is at the intersection of the
constraints, where the reflux ratio is 9. If the waste-
water plant was operated with a reflux ratio of 9, it
would operate at a maximum profit.
Figure 9 also shows lines at various D/F ratios. At
the optimal solution where the reflux ratio is 9, the D/F
ratio is 0.067. Both of these results are important for
the profitable operation of the wastewater column. It
is also possible to relax the optimal solution and accept
profitable solutions that lie between the break-even
reflux of 23 and the two constraints. If the ethanol
composition of the bottoms was held constant at 10 ppm,
then it would be possible to withdraw distillate with an
ethanol composition of 0.700 mole fraction at a reflux
ratio of 27 and a D/F ratio of 0.057 at the break-even
point. This provides some operating flexibility in recy-
cling the distillate in regards to ethanol composition,
while maintaining a break-even or profitable economic
condition. If the ethanol composition of the distillate was
held constant at 0.600 mole fraction, then at the break-
even point the ethanol composition of the bottoms would

be 1 ppm at a reflux ratio of 23 and a D/F ratio of 0.067.
Figure 9 shows that the operating window between the
break-even condition and a profitable condition, while
satisfying the constraints, is reasonably large and
permits the operator to modify processing conditions
when they are required.
Conclusions
The recovery of solvents ethyl acetate and ethanol
from a wastewater stream can be cost-effective in the
operation of a wastewater plant which has a low
composition specification of solvent in the recovered
water. A homogeneous ternary azeotrope exists in the
system ethyl acetate-ethanol-water, and the quality
of a process simulation study requires a good prediction
of this azeotrope. New parameters for the UNIFAC
model are given in this paper which provide this good
prediction. A total reflux simulation of a distillation
column with these new parameters generates discrete
liquid composition points or discrete distillation lines
that are directed toward the azeotrope. High composi-
tions of ethanol are predicted at intermediate values of
the number of ideal stages in the column. An increase
in the number of stages leads to a reduced ethanol
composition, approaching the azeotropic value. Experi-
ence in simulation at a finite reflux is necessary by
adjusting the D/F ratio to satisfy both solvent recovery
and wastewater cleanup quality. A process cost estima-
tion, subject to composition constraints, leads to a
feasible cost region for this wastewater cleanup problem.
Values of the reflux ratio between 10 and 30 at low D/F
ratios can provide cost-effective cleanup conditions in a
column with eight ideal stages. This type of optimization
provides a good insight into a detailed optimization
study of a wastewater stream containing other solvents,
that could generate a homogeneous azeotrope.
Nomenclature
B ) bottoms flow rate, kgmol s-1
C ) cost objective function
D ) distillate flow rate, kgmol s-1
F ) feed flow rate, kgmol s-1
FN,i ) deviation function
K ) K value
L ) liquid flow rate, kgmol s-1
m ) mass of liquid holdup, kgmol
N ) total number of stages
P ) total pressure, Pa
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, No. 6, 2000 1545
Ps ) saturated vapor pressure, Pa
R ) reflux ratio
S ) steam flow rate, kgmol s-1
T ) temperature, K
V ) vapor flow rate, kgmol s-1
x ) liquid composition
xF,i ) liquid composition, feed, component i
y ) vapor composition
Subscripts
i ) component identification
n ) stage number
nC ) number of components
Superscripts
C ) combinatorial part
R ) residual part
Greek Letters
γ ) activity coefficient
 ) error value
Literature Cited
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(2) Stichlmair, J.; Fair, J. R. Distillation: Principles and
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(3) Esbjerg, K.; Anderson, T. R.; Muller, D.; Marquardt, W.;
Jorgensen, S. B. Multiple Steady States in Heterogeneous Azeo-
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(4) Furzer, I. A. Distillation for University Students; Depart-
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(5) Cairns, B. P.; Furzer, I. A. Multicomponent Three-Phase
Azeotropic Distillation. 1. Extensive Experimental Data and
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(6) Furzer, I. A. Critical Process Modelling in Separation
Systems. Chemeca98, 26th Australian Chemical Engineering
Conference, Port Douglas, North Queensland, September 28-30,
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(7) Furzer, I. A. Experimental Heterogeneous Distillation in the
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Meeting, Houston, TX, March 19-23, 1995.
(8) Furzer, I. A. Distillation in Ternary Azeotropic Systems.
Chemeca98, 26th Australian Chemical Engineering Conference,
Port Douglas, North Queensland, Australia, Sept 28-30, 1998.
(9) Furzer, I. A. Froth Heights on Dualflow Trays with a
Ternary Azeotropic System: Ethyl Acetate-Ethanol-Water. Ind.
Eng. Chem. Res. 1999, 39, 1430-1436.
Received for review February 22, 1999
Accepted February 9, 2000
IE990133X