How to Design a Decanter to Separate Acrylonitrile from Water

Q1. How can we separate acrylonitrile from water using a decanter?

What factors need to be considered when sizing a decanter to separate acrylonitrile from water?

A1. Separating Acrylonitrile from Water using a Decanter

When designing a decanter to separate acrylonitrile from water, several factors need to be taken into account. The operating temperature, feed rate, composition of the mixture, desired separation efficiency, and decanter size all play crucial roles in the process.

To effectively separate acrylonitrile from water, it is important to first determine the operating temperature of the decanter. In this case, the operating temperature is set at 20∘C. This temperature will impact the solubility and separation of acrylonitrile from water.

Additionally, the feed rate of the 5 mol% aqueous mixture must be considered. With a feed rate of 3000 kg/h, the decanter must be sized appropriately to handle the incoming mixture effectively.

Moreover, the composition of the mixture plays a significant role in the separation process. With acrylonitrile concentration at 5 mol%, the differences in boiling points between acrylonitrile (77∘C) and water (100∘C) can be utilized to vaporize the acrylonitrile while leaving the water behind.

The size of the decanter will depend on factors such as the required separation efficiency and residence time of the mixture. Further analysis and testing may be necessary to determine the specific size of the decanter for optimal performance.