Reference no: EM131465972

Question: Pure ethyl alcohol is produced by feeding a distillation column a 40% alcohol solution (the remainder water) mixed with benzene. The benzene serves as a promoter of the process. The distillate from the top of the column consists of 75% benzene, 24% water, and 1 % pure ethyl alcohol. The product is pure ethyl alcohol recovered at the bottom. The process must produce 550 kg/hr of pure alcohol. Find the required feeds of the 40% solution and benzene and the amount of pure alcohol Jost at the top of the column. This material balance analysis is needed to size the column and associated piping and connections.