Exploring Azeotropes in a Ternary Mixture

Abstract

The existence of an azeotrope in a ternary mixture containing isopropanol, methylcyclohexane and toluene is explored from a bi-directional approach of computer simulation and experimentation. Distilling the mixture at total reflux, experimental results analyzed by a gasliquid chromatograph were then compared with computer output using a computer programme written by Fletcher based on the Perkins and Doherty model. The computer programmes written by Fredenslund, Gmehling and Rasmussen that are based on the UNIFAC group contribution method for calculating vapour-liquid equilibrium ratios are employed in the prediction calculations. Both approaches confirm existence of an azeotrope between isopropanol and methylcyclohexane.

Key words: Azeotrope, Group contribution method, computer simulation


(Af. J. of Science and Technology: 2003 4(1): 96-103)