NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, FACULTY OF

ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING. FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION, 2021/2022
SESSION
COURSE CODE: CHE S3S, SEPERATION PROCESS IV
TIME: t 1/2HOURS
INSTRUCTION: Answer any 3 questions.

Question 1
a. With the aid of a simple diagram, explain what a separation process means
b. Define the term, liquid-liquid extraction and list five (5) conditions that
would make liquid-liquid extraction preferable when compared to
distillation
c. Define the following separation processes:
i. Dialysis
ii. Thermal diffusion
iii. Foam separation
1

Question 2
Pure solvent isopropyl ether at the rate VN+I = 700 kg/his being·used to extract an
aqueous solution of Lo = 300 kg/h containing 40 wt% acetic acid (A) by counter-
current multistage solvent extraction. 'The desired exit acetic acid concentration in
the aqueous phase is 10%. Calculate the compositions and amounts of the ether
extract V1 and the aqueous raffinate LN, (A phase diagram for water-alcohol-
isopropyl ether system is provided).

Question 3
An original mixture weighing 100 kg and containing 30 kg of isopropyl ether (C),
10 kg of acetic acid (A), and 60 kg water (B) is equilibrated and the equilibrium
phases separated. What are the compositions of the extract and raffinate phases? (A
phase diagram for water-alcohol-isopropyl ether system is provided).
LN 1-c,.._, -1- V, ~ e, 1 /V1 Xc i- ;.
L--i.Co•Ol ) f- v, (u-~) : :_ too0[ o·n
v·ot( 100 0-v,1 f o·t4 V,) 7 o r>
L1) - o 02.v, t o -i 4 v, : :
() • g2 v, : 6 <?0

o, 00 :
 f

I .
.Question 4 ,
Pure solv;t 'isopropyl ether at the rate VN+t = 500 kglh is ·being ~ed to extract an
~ueous solution of Lo = 200 kglh con~ ining 30 wt°/o acetic acid (A) by counter-
~urrent multistage solvent extraction. rpe desired exit acetic acid concentration in
, e aqueous phase is 6%. Calculate the composition of the ether extract V1 and the
1
aque~us raffinate LN, (A phase diagram for water-alcohol-isopropy~ether system is
proVIded). ,

Question 5
a. For mass transfer operations involvin,g direct contact of two immiscible phases,
classify the following processes based on the 6 possibilities of phase contact:
Fractional distillation, Adsorption, Drying, Gas absorpti1bn, Fractional
crystallization, Humidification, Liqui4-liquid extraction, Desoj;ption/Stripping,
L~aching, Dehumidification, Fractiobal extraction, Fractio~ I Adsorption,
Fractional sublimation, Gas adsorption, 1 .
b. For mass transfer operations involving phases separated by a mepibrane, classify
the following processes based on the 3 possibilities of phase 9ontact: Reverse
osmosis, Electrodialysis, Diffusion/EfJusion, Fractional dialy~is, Permeation,
Osmosis, Dialysis i
c. In a solvent extraction phase diagram, hat is the plait point? ·!