The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	Computerized computation of counter-current extraction problems for ternary liquid systems
Author:	Patterson, Albert Warren
View Online:	njit-etd1972-023 (vi, 59 pages ~ 2.0 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Chemical Engineering
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	McCormick, John E. (Committee chair) Huang, Ching-Rong (Committee member) Perna, Angelo J. (Committee member)
Date:	1972-06
Keywords:	Extraction (Chemistry) -- Computer programs
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	A Fortran computer program has been developed that will calculate the number of theoretical equilibrium stages required for a countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction design problem. It also furnishes a complete stagewise material balance. Further utility can be found by using it for optimization studies. The program can be utilized for three-component systems that form one pair of partially miscible liquids, the most frequently occuring situation. The program was written for the General Electric Mark I Time-Sharing System. The program has a practical advantage in that isothermal liquid equilibria data are used directly for calculation purposes. No use is made of theoretically derived equations of the Margules or Redlich-Kister type to predict distribution coefficients, rather equilibria data is correlated in the region of interest by using a three coefficient interpolating polynomial. Me empirical correlation proposed by D.B. Hand is utilized to derive tie line equations. Some of the features of the program include the user's option of either specifying the mole or weight fraction of solute in the raffinate or the percentage overall recovery of solute in the extract. The latter option would be a time-consuming iterative procedure when attempted by hand computation. An especially valuable feature for optimization studies is the storage of equilibria data in permanent files so that parametric cases can be run without the bother of having to input a large volume of data for each case. The program is arranged so as to be used by a person with little or no knowledge of computer programing. With this in mind a stepwise procedure for using the program is presented along with solutions to sample problems. Sample problems presented for the ternary system acetone-water-1,1,2-trichloroethane show good agreement with graphical procedures.