A flash separator "flashes" (abrupt increase in temperature and pressure) a liquid stream containing multiple species. Not all of the liquid vaporizes, but the vapor that does form is rich in one of the species, thereby separating it from the other. A liquid mixture of n-pentane and n-hexane containing 40mol% n-pentane is fed continuously to a flash separator operating at 121°C and 80 psia. Two streams, one liquid and one vapor, exit the separator and are in equilibrium with each other.
a. Calculate the composition of the vapor and liquid exit streams.
b. Calculate the quantity of vapor and liquid produced per 100 moles of feed.