A distillation column with a partial reboiler and a total condenser is used to separate a mixture of alcohols. The feed is 20 wt% methanol, 30 wt% ethanol, 27 wt% n-propanol and 23 wt% n-butanol (methanol is most volatile and n-butanol is the least volatile). The feed rate is 12,000 kg/h. We desire a 97.8% recovery of ethanol in the distillate and a 99.4% recovery of n-propanol in the bottoms.
a. Estimate the distillate and bottoms flow rates.
b. Estimate the distillate and bottoms weight fractions of alcohols.
c. Clearly state all your assumptions.