11.7. DISTILLATION OF MULTICOMPONENT MIXTURES

11.7A. Introduction to Multicomponent Distillation

In industry many of the distillation processes involve the separation of more than two components. The general principles of design for multicomponent distillation towers are the same in many respects as those described for binary systems. There is one mass balance for each component in the multicomponent mixture. Enthalpy or heat balances are made which are similar to those for the binary case. Equilibrium data are used to calculate boiling points and dew points. The concepts of minimum reflux and total reflux as limiting cases are also used.

1. Number of distillation towers needed

In binary distillation, one tower was used to separate the two components ...

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