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Thermo-020H Revised: Nov 7, 2012

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Use of a Decanter to Recover Solvent and Cross Distillation
Boundaries with Aspen HYSYS V8.0
1. Lesson Objectives
Use a 3 phase separator to recover solvent
2. Prerequisites
Aspen HYSYS V8.0
Introduction to liquid-liquid equilibrium
3. Background
In an anhydrous ethanol production plant, cyclohexane is used as an entrainer during separation to break the
ethanol-water azeotrope. The stream from the top of the first distillation column is typically a mixture with a
composition that is very close to the ternary azeotrope. Since cyclohexane and water are not miscible, a
decanter can be used to separate cyclohexane from the ethanol and water. The second role of this liquid-liquid
separation is to cross distillation boundaries. One of the two outlet streams from the decanter is recovered
solvent. The other stream has a composition in the ethanol-rich distillation region and is fed to the second
column.
The examples presented are solely intended to illustrate specific concepts and principles. They may not
reflect an industrial application or real situation.
4. Use of a Decanter for solvent recovery
Problem Statement
A 100 kmol/hr feed stream that is 35 mol -% ethanol, 6 mol-% water, and 59 mol-% cyclohexane is fed to a
decanter. Determine the compositions of the two outlet streams from the decanter and their flowrates.
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Aspen HYSYS Solution
4.01. Start Aspen HYSYS V8.0 and create a new simulation.
4.02. Create a component list. In the Component Lists folder select Add. Add Ethanol, Water, and
Cyclohexane to the component list.

4.03. Define property package. In the Fluid Packages folder select Add. Select UNIQUAC as the property
package. In the Activity Model Specifications grid, select RK for Vapour Model.

4.04. Go to the simulation environment. Click the Simulation button in the bottom left of the screen.


4.05. Add a 3-Phase Separator to the flowsheet from the Model Palette.
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4.06. Double click the 3 phase separator vessel (V-100). Create an Inlet stream called Feed, and three Outlets
called Vapor, Liquid1, and Liquid2.

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4.07. Define feed stream. Go to the Worksheet tab. Enter a Temperature of 25C, a Pressure of 1 bar, and a
Molar Flow of 100 kgmole/h.

4.08. In the Composition form enter Mole Fractions of 0.35 for ethanol, 0.06 for water, and 0.59 for
cyclohexane. The separator should solve when compositions are complete.
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4.09. Check results. You can see that the feed stream was separated into two separate liquid streams
because of a difference in density between the two liquid phases. Stream Liquid1 has flowrate of 54.6
kgmole/h, while the heavier stream Liquid2 has a flowrate of 45.4 kgmole/h.

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4.10. Check stream composition. Stream Liquid1 is enriched in cyclohexane while stream Liquid2 is enriched
in ethanol.

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5. Conclusions
A Decanter can be used to concentrate cyclohexane from 59% to 78% so it can be recycled or repurposed. The
other outlet (Liquid2) has a composition in a different distillation region from the Feed stream, providing a
product that crosses distillation boundaries. This serves as the decanters second role mentioned in the
background section.
6. Copyright
Copyright 2012 by Aspen Technology, Inc. (AspenTech). All rights reserved. This work may not be
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RESPECT TO THIS WORK and assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. In no event will AspenTech be
liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential
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this work. This work and its contents are provided for educational purposes only.

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