M ULTISTAGE C ROSSCURRENT

E XTRACTION
EXAMPLE
If 100 kg of a solution of acetic acid (C) and water (A) containing
30% acid is to be extracted three times with isopropyl ether (B)
at 20°C, using 40 kg of solvent in each stage, determine the
quantities and compositions of the various streams. How much
solvent would be required if the same final raffinate
concentration were to be obtained with one stage?
The equilibrium data at 20°C are listed below [Trans. AIChE, 36,
628 (1940), with permission].
Multistage Crosscurrent Extraction
 M ULTISTAGE C ROSSCURRENT
E XTRACTION
SOLUTION
The horizontal rows give the concentrations in
equilibrium solutions. The system is of the type
shown in Fig. 10.9a, except that the tie lines slope
downward toward the B apex. The rectangular
coordinates of Fig. l0.9b will be used, but only for
acid concentrations up to x = 0.30. These are plotted
in Fig. 10.15.
 Water layer
(Raffinate phase)
Acetic acid Acetic acid (C) Water Water (A) Isopropyl Isopropyl ether (B)
No (%) (wt. Fraction, x) (%) (wt. fraction) ether (%) (wt. Fraction)
1 0.69 0.0069 98.1 0.981 1.2 0.012
2 1.41 0.0141 97.1 0.971 1.5 0.015
3 2.89 0.0289 95.5 0.955 1.6 0.016
4 6.42 0.0642 91.7 0.917 1.9 0.019
5 13.3 0.133 84.4 0.844 2.3 0.023
6 25.5 0.255 71.1 0.711 3.4 0.034
7 36.7 0.367 58.9 0.589 4.4 0.044
8 44.3 0.443 45.1 0.451 10.6 0.106
9 46.4 0.464 37.1 0.371 16.5 0.165

Isopropyl ether layer

(Extract phase)
Acetic acid Acetic acid (C) Water Water (A) Isopropyl Isopropyl ether (B)
(%) (wt. Fraction, y) (%) (wt. fraction) ether (%) (wt. fraction)
1 0.18 0.0018 0.5 0.005 99.3 0.993
2 0.37 0.0037 0.7 0.007 98.9 0.989
3 0.79 0.0079 0.8 0.008 98.4 0.984
4 1.93 0.0193 1 0.01 97.1 0.971
5 4.82 0.0482 1.9 0.019 93.3 0.933
6 11.4 0.114 3.9 0.039 84.7 0.847
7 21.6 0.216 6.9 0.069 71.5 0.715
8 31.1 0.311 10.8 0.108 58.1 0.581
9 36.2 0.362 15.1 0.151 48.7 0.487
Where,
x= wt. fraction of acetic acid in Raffinate Phase
Rectangular Coordinates
y= wt. fraction of acetic
1 acid in Extract Phase
wt. fraction of acetic acid (C) (x, y) 0.9

0.8

0.7
Equilibrium points at water
0.6 layer (Raffinate phase)

0.5 Equilibrium points at

0.165, 0.464
0.106, 0.443 isopropyl ether
0.4 layer (Extract phase)
0.044, 0.367 0.487, 0.362

0.581, 0.311
0.3
0.034, 0.255
0.715, 0.216
0.2
0.023, 0.133
0.847, 0.114
0.1
0.019, 0.0642
0.933, 0.0482
0.016, 0.0289 0.971, 0.0193
0.015, 0.0069
0.0141
0 0.012, 0.984,
0.993,0.0079
0.989, 0.0037
0.0018

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Figure 10.9 wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)
Where,
x= wt. fraction of acetic acid in Raffinate Phase
Rectangular Coordinates
y= wt. fraction of acetic
1 acid in Extract Phase
wt. fraction of acetic acid (C) (x, y) 0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6
Distribution curve
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Figure 10.9 wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)
Where,
x= wt. fraction of acetic acid in Raffinate Phase
Rectangular Coordinates
y= wt. fraction of acetic
1 acid in Extract Phase
wt. fraction of acetic acid (C) (x, y) 0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5
Distribution curve
0.4 Tie line

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Figure 10.9(a) wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)
For acetic concentrations up to x = 0.30 (0riginally 30% in Feed)
Rectangular Coordinates
0.3

0.25
wt. fraction of acetic acid (C) (x, y)

0.2
Distribution curve

0.15

0.1 Tie line

0.05

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Figure 10.9(b) wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)
 Solution (Draw the material balance diagrams)

Solvent, S1 (ys1) Solvent, S2 (ys2) Solvent, S3 (ys3)

Feed, F First Raffinate Second Raffinate Third Final

(xF) stage R1 (x1) stage R2(x2) stage Raffinate
R3 (x3)
Extract, E1 (y1) Extract, E2 (y2) Extract, E3 (y3)
 Solution at 1st Stage (Draw the material balance diagram)

Solvent, S1= 40 kg (ys1 = 0)

Feed, F =100 kg First Raffinate, R1

(xF = 0.30) stage (x1)

Extract, E1 (y1)
Material Balance:
Total Balance:
F + S1 = E1 + R1 = M1-----------------------------EQ 10.4
M1 = 1oo kg + 40 kg = 140kg

Material Balance on acetic acid (C):

F(xF) + S1(ys) = E1(y1) + R1(x1) = M1(xM1) ----------------------------EQ 10.5
F(xF) + S1(ys) = M1(xM1)
100 kg(0.30) + 40 kg (0)= (140 kg)(xM1)
Thus, xM1 = 30 kg/140 kg =0.214
 Rectangular Coordinates
F (0, 0.3) FS1 line
0.3
0.29 1. First draw the tie lines.
0.28
0.27 2. Then plot the initial point of
0.26
wt. fraction of acetic acid (C) 0.25 wt. frac of acetic acid (C)
0.24 in Feed, F (0, 0.3) and in
0.23
0.22 Solvent, S1 (1, 0).
0.21
0.2 3. Draw the line FS1 on the
0.19 Rectangular Coordinates
0.18
0.17 by joining the two
0.16
0.15 points.
0.14
0.13
0.12
0.11
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0 S1(1,0)
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Tie line wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)

 Rectangular Coordinates
0.3
0.29 4. Plot the point M1 (?, 0.214)
0.28 where it is located on
0.27
X1 = 0.258 0.26 the line FS1.
wt. fraction of acetic acid (x, y)

0.25
0.24 5. With the help of a
0.23 M1 (?, 0.214)
distribution curve,
XM1 = 0.214 0.22
0.21 draw the tie line passing
0.2
0.19 through M1 is located as
0.18
0.17 shown, and x1 = 0.258,
0.16 y1 = 0.117 wt fraction
0.15
0.14 acetic acid were determine
0.13
y1 = 0.117 0.12 at the intersection points
0.11 with the distribution curve.
0.1
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Tie line R1E1 wt. fraction of isopropyl ether (B)

The quantities of extract (E1)and raffinate (Y1)in Stage 1:
Total Balance:
E1 + R1 = M1-----------------------------EQ 10.5
M1 = 1oo kg + 40 kg = 140kg

Material Balance on acetic acid (C):

E1(y1) + R1(x1) = M1(xM1) -------------------EQ 10.7
Since E1 + R1 = M1-----EQ 10.5, thus R1 = M1-E1,
So , substitute R1=M1- E1 into EQ 10.7 and simplified, thus E1 will equal to:
E1 = [M1 (xM1 –x1)]/ (y1-x1)
= [(140 kg) (0.214- 0.258)]/(0.117-0.258)
= 43.6 kg
R1 =M1-E1
= 140 kg – 43.6 kg
= 96.4 kg
 Solution at 2nd Stage (Draw the material balance diagram)

Solvent, S1 (ys1=0) Solvent, S2 = 40 Kg (ys2=0)

Feed, F First Raffinate Second Raffinate

(xF =0.3) stage R1=96.4 kg stage R2(x2)
(x1=0.258)
Extract, E1 (y1=0.117) Extract, E2 (y2)

Material Balance:
Total Balance:
R1 + S2 = E2 + R2 = M2
M2 = 96.4 kg + 40 kg = 136.4kg

Material Balance on acetic acid (C):

R1(x1) + S2(ys2) = E2(y2) + R2(x2) = M2(xM2)
R1(x1) + S2(ys2) = M2(xM2)
96.4 kg(0.258) + 40 kg (0)= (136.4 kg)(xM2)
Thus, xM2 = 24.871 kg/136.4 kg =0.1823
 Rectangular Coordinates
R1S2 line
0.3
0.29 4. Plot the point M2 (?, 0.1823)
0.28
0.27 where it is located on
0.26 the line R1S2.
wt. fraction of acetic acid

0.25
0.24 5. With the help of a
X2 = 0.227 0.23
0.22 distribution curve,
0.21 draw the tie line passing
0.2
0.19
XM2 = 0.1823 0.18 through M2 is located as
0.17 shown, and x2 = 0.227,
0.16 y2 = 0.095 wt fraction
0.15
0.14 acetic acid were determine
0.13
0.12 at the intersection points
0.11
0.1 with the distribution curve.
y2 = 0.095 0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Tie line R2E2 wt. fraction of isopropyl ether

The quantities of extract (E2)and raffinate (Y2)in Stage 2:
Total Balance:
E2 + R2 = M2
M2 = 136.4kg

Material Balance on acetic acid (C):

E2(y2) + R2(x2) = M2(xM2)----------------EQ 10.7(a)
Since E2 + R2 = M2, thus R2 = M2-E2,
So , substitute R2=M2- E2 into EQ 10.7(a) and simplified, thus E2 will equal to:
E2 = [M2 (xM2 –x2)]/ (y2-x2)
= [(136.4 kg) (0.1823- 0.227)]/(0.095-0.227)
= 46.2 kg
R2 =M2-E2
= 136.4 kg – 46.2 kg
= 90.2 kg
 Solution at 3rd Stage (Draw the material balance diagram)
Solvent, S1 (ys1) Solvent, S2 (ys2) Solvent, S3 =40 kg (ys3=0)

Feed, F First Raffinate Second Raffinate Third Final

(xF) stage R1 (x1) stage R2 =90.2kg stage Raffinate
(x2=0.227) R3 (x3)
Extract, E1 (y1) Extract, E2 (y2) Extract, E3 (y3)

Material Balance:
Total Balance:
R2 + S3 = E3 + R3 = M3
M3 = 90.2 kg + 40 kg = 130.2kg

Material Balance on acetic acid (C):

R2(x2) + S3(ys3) = E3(y3) + R3(x3) = M3(xM3)
R2(x2) + S3(ys3) = M3(xM3)
90.2 kg(0.227) + 40 kg (0)= (130.2 kg)(xM3)
Thus, xM3 = 20.475 kg/130.2 kg =0.1573
 Rectangular Coordinates
R2S3 line
0.3
0.29 4. Plot the point M3 (?, 0.1573)
0.28
0.27 where it is located on
0.26 the line R2S3.
0.25
wt. fraction of acetic acid

0.24 5. With the help of a

0.23
0.22 distribution curve,
0.21 draw the tie line passing
X3 = 0.2 0.2
0.19 through M3 is located as
0.18
0.17 shown, and x3 = 0.2,
XM3 = 0.1573 0.16 y3 = 0.078 wt fraction
0.15
0.14 acetic acid were determine
0.13
0.12 at the intersection points
0.11
0.1 with the distribution curve.
0.09
y3 = 0.078 0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Tie line R3E3 wt. fraction of isopropyl ether

The quantities of extract (E3)and raffinate (Y3)in Stage 3:
Total Balance:
E3 + R3 = M3
M2 = 130.2kg
Material Balance on acetic acid (C):
E3(y3) + R3(x3) = M3(xM3) ------------------EQ 10.7 (b)
Since E3 + R3 = M3, thus R3 = M3-E3,
So , substitute R3=M3- E3 into EQ 10.7 (b) and simplified, thus E3 will equal to:
E3 = [M3 (xM3 –x3)]/ (y3-x3)
= [(130.2kg) (0.1573- 0.2)]/(0.078-0.2)
= 45.6kg
R3 =M3-E3
= 130.2 kg – 45.6 kg
= 84.6 kg
So, the acetic acid content in the final raffinate:
= R3*x3
= 84.6 kg (0.2) =16.92 kg
The composited extract is:
E1 + E2 + E3 = 43.6 + 46.2 + 45.6 = 135.4 kg,
The acid content in the composited extract:
E1y1 + E2y2 + E3y3 = [(43.6 *0.117) + (46.2 * 0.095) + (45.6 *0.078) =13.05 kg.
 Rectangular Coordinates
F (0,0.3) 0.3
XF = 0.3 0.29
0.28
0.27
R1 (?,0.258) 0.26
X1 = 0.258 0.25
wt. fraction of acetic acid

0.24
R2 (?,0.227) 0.23
0.22
X2 = 0.227 0.21 M1 (?,0.214)
R3 (?,0.2) 0.2 xM1 = 0.214
0.19 M2 (?,0.1823)
X3 = 0.2 0.18
0.17 xM2 = 0.1823
0.16 M3 (?,0.1573)
0.15
0.14 xM3 = 0.1573
0.13
0.12 E1 (?,0.117)
0.11
0.1 y1 = 0.258
0.09 E2 (?,0.095)
0.08 y2 = 0.095
0.07 E3 (?,0.078)
0.06 y3 = 0.078
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0 S1,S2,S3 (1,0)
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 ys 1, ys 2 , ys 3 = 0

wt. fraction of isopropyl ether

Figure 10.15
• If an extraction to give the same final raffinate concentration,
x = 0.20.
• were to be done in one stage, the point M would be at the
intersection of tie line R3E3 and line FS of Figure 10.15.
• So, XM = 0.12.
• The solvent required would then be, by Eq. (10.6),

• S1 = 100(0.30 - 0.12)/(0.12 - 0) = 150 kg,

• Hence, 150 kg of solvent is required for single stage
extraction
• 120 kg of solvent is required in the three-stage
extraction.