Sample Problem #10:

Seeds, containing 20 per cent by mass of

oil, are extracted in a countercurrent plant
and 90 per cent of the oil is recovered in a
solution containing 50 per cent by mass oil.
If the seeds are extracted with solvent
containing 1 per cent by mass oil and 1 kg
of solvent is removed in the underflow in
association with every 2 kg of insoluble
matter, how many stages are required?
Solve this analytically using Kremser
equation.
Solution:
90% recovery Vn+1
yA1 = 0.5 n=? yAn+1 = 0.01
V1
SLE1 SLE2 SLE3
L0

xA0 = 0.2 Ln

retention = 1 kg solvent
2 kg inert

Using Kremser equation as follows:

log yAn+1 – xAn

n–1= yA2 – xA1
log yAn+1 – yA2
xAn – xA1
where x = solute and y = solute
solvent solvent
Evaluating each of the four terms in the Kremser equation:

yAn+1 = 0.01 = 0.0101

1-0.01

Basis: 1 kg feed

kg solvent in final underflow (Ln) = 0.8 x 1 = 0.4

2

xAn = 0.1 (0.2) = 0.05

0.4

xA1 = 0.5 = 1
1–0.5

kg first underflow (L1) = solute + solvent + inert = 0.4 + 0.4 + 1.6 = 1.6
 kg final underflow (Ln) = solute + solvent + inert = 0.02 + 0.4 + 0.8 =
1.22

kg final overflow (V1) = 0.9 (0.2) x 1 = 0.36

0.5

kg solvent (Vn+1) = V1 + Ln – L0 = 0.36 + 1.22 – 1 = 0.58

kg V2 = Vn+1 + L1 – Ln = 0.58 + 1.6 – 1.22 = 0.96

Solute balance around (n – 1) stages

solute in V2 = solute in Vn+1 + solute in L1 – solute in Ln = 0.01(0.58) + 0.4

– 0.02 = 0.386

Solvent balance around (n – 1) stages

solvent in V2 = solvent in Vn+1 + solvent in L1 – solvent in Ln = 0.99(0.58)

+ 0.4 – 0.4 = 0.574
 yA2 = 0.386 = 0.672
0.574

Evaluating the Kremser equation:

log 0.0101 – 0.05

n–1= 0.672 – 1
log 0.0101 – 0.672
0.05 – 1
n – 1 = 5.83

 n = 6.83