Phenol Removal with an equilibrium stage

[member 392791]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The problem here is that it looks like having 2 equilibrium stages requires the same flow ratio as one equilibrium stage, according to my calculations. This seems strange to me, so I am wondering if I am wrong. I also am not sure if it's asking the ratio relative to the raffinate from the first stage, or if it is a ratio of the inlet from the first stage to the raffinate of the second stage.

 

[KataKoniK]

First of all, let me clarify the problem. You are dealing with a multi-stage extraction process, where each stage has a different equilibrium condition. The goal is to determine the flow ratio between the inlet and outlet streams of the second stage, given that the flow ratio for the first stage is known.

Now, to answer your question, it is indeed possible for the flow ratio to remain the same for multiple equilibrium stages. This is because the flow ratio is dependent on the equilibrium conditions, which can vary from stage to stage. In other words, even though the flow ratio remains the same, the concentrations of the components in the streams may change due to the different equilibrium conditions.

As for your second question, the flow ratio should be calculated relative to the raffinate from the first stage. This is because the raffinate from the first stage is the feed stream for the second stage, and the flow ratio is determined based on the inlet and outlet streams of each stage.

I hope this clarifies your doubts. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your calculations, please don't hesitate to ask. As scientists, it is important for us to question and verify our findings to ensure accuracy in our work. Keep up the good work!