Difference between extractive & azeotropic distillation
Extractive distillation
Azeotropic distillation
System chokes distillation when
azeotrope forms or systems relative
volatility approaches 1. in this case it
is azeotrop distillation that actually
provides pathway.
It uses entrainer specie to actually
tries to create volatility difference and
thus forming a new azeotrop with one
of the component already present.
Entrainer is highly volatile
component, so added on feed plate or
plate below feed, so that it is (new
azeotrop) be present at every plate in
some propotion.
On formation of new azeotrope it is
recovered from top of column, while
other component is separated as
bottom.
For separation of entrainer It requires
lots of energy or use of membrane
technology.
Entrainer have B.P in between both of
the components forming initial
azeotope.
Highly energy consuming process.
In other case where extractive
distillation is used it is solvent that is
third party element added to produce
separation. It can be thought just like as
solvent extraction.
A highly non volatile substance called
solvent is added to mixture that are
difficult to separate, since B.P of solvent
is very high so it is impossible to have
any chance of azeotrop formation. While
Mixture that is formed as on solvent
addition have higher B.P making
component in good concentration while
quantity is to be compromised.
It is interaction parameter between
solvent and component present ; on
which based solvent is selected., and
activity coefficient is to be accounted.
Solvent is always added at top so that it
can extract component of its choice, and
separated from other remaining one
component from base of column.
Separation of solvent from other
component is extremely easy. Simple
separation is involved requiring less
amount of energy , making this possible
an economical process.
Less solvent is lost as a result of
vaporization of solvent.
Continuous and batch.
Extractive:Only for continouous system