Batch distillation for separating the acetone and n-heptane binary azeotrope mixture: Optimization and simulation

Abstract

A batch distillation column is one of several approaches that have been developed to improve the distillation process's performance. Batch and specialty chemical industries require quick and reliable process simulations to predict the extent of separation of mixtures such as volatile natural compounds. Acetone and n-Heptane found in wastewater are usually associated with solvents from the pharmaceutical industry. At 329.11 K, acetone and n-Heptane easily combine to form an azeotropic mixture. The different distillation and separation techniques were used to separate the azeotropic mixture which requires several plates and columns. In the current work, batch distillation was used to study the separation of the azeotropic mixture (Acetone and n-Heptane).It was observed that the desired separation was not possible for the Acetone and n-Heptane system. To overcome this, a third component such as Butyl propionate or Benzene is added to the mixture of Acetone and n-Heptane system. This system was simulated using Equinox Software and Services Pvt. Ltd. licensed Multi Batch Distillation Software (MBDS™).Different thermodynamic models have been studied for the azeotropic mixtures, such as NRTL, UNIFAC I, UNIFAC II, and UNIFAC III. The batch distillation system for separating the Acetone and n-Heptane was optimized. Various operating factors such as the number of plates, reflux ratio, batch times, and distillate rates were investigated. Based on simulation studies, the optimal parameters were determined to be a reflux ratio of 2.2, 19 number of plates, and a total time of 1 h to separate >99 wt % Acetone purity from the azeotropic mixture.