Optimization of solvent feed rate for maximum recovery of high purity top product in batch extractive distillation

Operating conditions and product recovery of an azeotropic binary mixture (acetone-methanol) using a batch extractive distillation process has been studied experimentally in a 25-stage batch distillation equipment. Water is used as the extractive agent (solvent). Various feed ratios of the solvent and acetone-methanol were injected into the reboiler. Top products were collected and analysed by gas chromatography. It was observed that a solvent feed of 100 mi water with 100 ml acetone and 100 ml methanol to the reboiler produces the best top product purity results in comparison with other solvent to feed ratios.