A saturated liquid mixture consisting of 60% propane, 30% n-butane, and 10% n-pentane is to be separated into an overhead product that contains 98% of the propane that enters with the feed. The bottom product is to contain 95% of the n-butane in the feed. The average pressure in the column is 689 kPa.
a). What is the minimum number of stages required for this separation? Determine the distribution of n-pentane at this condition.
b). Solve for the minimum reflux ratio. Solve for both Class1 and Class 2 separations.
c). If a reflux ratio 1.5 x Rmin is used, how many theoretical stages are required for a Class 2 separation in b).
d). Estimate the feed stage location.