Introduction

Introduction to Separation processes

A single homogeneous phase
(solid, liquid or gas)

A typ
typical
ca sepa
separation
at o pprocess
ocess

The separation is accomplished by forcing the different chemical species in the

feed into different spatial locations by any of five general separation techniques,
or combinations thereof as shown in next figure
 Introduction

General separation techniques

1. Separation by phase creation
accomplished by energy transfer to or from the system or by pressure
reduction (Table 1.1 page 9)
 Introduction

General separation techniques

2. Separation
p by
y phase
p addition
addition of a second phase in the form of solvent which selectively dissolves
some of the species in the feed. (Table 1.1 page 9)
 Introduction

G
General
l separation
i techniques
h i

tbl01_01
 Introduction

G
General
l separation
i techniques
h i

tbl01_01b
 Introduction

General separation techniques

tbl01_01c
 Introduction

General separation techniques

3. Separation
3 p by
y barrier
use of a barrier which restricts and/or enhances the movement of certain
chemical species with respect to other species. (Table 1.2 page 14)
 Introduction

G
General
l separation
i techniques
h i

tbl01_02
 Introduction

General separation techniques

4. Separation
4 p by
y solid agent
g
addition of solid particles which act directly or as inert carriers for other
substances (Table 1.3 page 15)
 Introduction

G
General
l separation
i techniques
h i

tbl01_03
 Introduction

General separation techniques

5. Separation
5 p by
y force field or gradient
g
external fields of various types are sometimes applied for specialized
separations (Table 1.4 page 16)
 Introduction

General separation techniques

tbl01_04
 Introduction

Component recoveries and product

purities
If a feed is separated
p to N p
products,, the mass ((m0le)) of anyy species
p i in
the feed equals to the sum of its mass (mole) of that species in all the
products. Thus:
N
ni(F )
= ∑ ni( p ) = ni(1) + ni( 2) + " + ni( N −1) + ni( N )
p =1

In order to solve for the mass (mole) of the species i in each product,
additional N – 1 equation are required for each species. This gives a
total of NC equations in NC unknowns for a C component system. The
remaining g C (N – 1) equation
q are the design
g equations
q for the
separation equipment in terms of the required process specifications.
These specifications are typically given as component recoveries and/or
product purities. Following terms are usually used to describe typical
process specifications.
 Introduction

Component recoveries and product

purities
Split
p Fraction: Split
p Fraction is defines as the ratio of the mass
(mole) of a species in a product to mass (mole) of that species in the
feed. Thus for any separator k:
ni(,k)
1

SFi ,k =
ni(,k )
F

Split Ratio: Split Ratio of a species in the two products is defines as

the ratio of the mass (mole) of that species in the two products. Thus:
ni(,k)
1
SFi ,k
SR i ,k = ( 2)
=
ni ,k 1 − SFi ,k
 Introduction

Component recoveries and product

purities
Separation
p Power: Separation
p Power ((also referred to as the relative
split ratio and the separation factor), SP, of the separation equipment,
defined in terms of the component splits achieved, as measured by the
compositions of the two products, (1) and (2):

Ci(1) / Ci( 2)
SPi , j =
C (j ) / C (j
1 2)

where C is some measure of composition such as mole fraction, mass

fraction,, or concentration in moles or mass p per unit volume.
SR i SFi / SFj
SPi , j = =
SR j (1 − SFi ) / (1 − SFj )