Practice Reading LLE Composition [Ref: Exam 2011, Q3(a)]

With reference to Figure 1 below, write down the compositions (in wt%) of Solvent, Solute
and Carrier fluids for all points shown on the diagram.

i) Solvent: . wt%, Solute: wt% and Carrier: wt%

ii) Solvent: wt%, Solute: wt% and Carrier: wt%

iii) Solvent: wt%, Solute: wt% and Carrier: wt%

iv) Solvent: wt%, Solute: wt% and Carrier: wt%

v) Solvent: wt%, Solute: wt% and Carrier: wt%

Solute
0

1 (iii)
0.1

0.9
0.2

0.8 (iv)
te
olu

0.3

Ma
fS

0.7
ss
no

0.4

0.6
fr a
ti o

0.5

c ti
rac

on

0.5
f
ss

0.6

ofC
Ma

0.4
arr
0.7

ie

(ii) 0.3
r
0.8

0.2
(v)
0.9

(i) 0.1
1

Solvent 0 Carrier
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

Mass fraction of Solvent

Figure 1: A typical ternary triangular phase diagram for liquid-liquid extraction

1
Practice LLE Question [Ref: Exam 2011, Q3(b)]

In a liquid-liquid extraction application, 300 kg of pure solvent (furfural) is added to a 200 kg

feed consisting of 30 wt% ethylene glycol in water. A ternary triangular phase diagram for
Ethylene Glycol/Water/Furfural with tie lines is shown in Figure 2 below.
Determine
i) the composition of the mixing point,
ii) the mass of the Raffinate (kg), and
iii) the mass of the Extract (kg).

0
1

0.1
0.9

0.2
0.8

0.3
0.7

0.4
0.6

0.5
Ethylene Glycol 0.5
Water

0.6
0.4

0.7
0.3

0.8
0.2
0.9
0.1 1

0
0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1
1

Furfural

Figure 2: A ternary triangular phase diagram for Ethylene Glycol/Water/Furfural