Question: Benzoic acid can be extracted from a dilute aqueous solution by solvent extraction using benzene in a single equilibrium stage. The feed rate to

Benzoic acid can be extracted from a dilute aqueous solution by solvent 

Benzoic acid can be extracted from a dilute aqueous solution by solvent extraction using benzene in a single equilibrium stage. The feed rate to the unit is 10,000 kg/h, and the feed solution contains 0.02 kg benzoic acid/kg water. Benzene is slightly soluble in water, so the water-rich raffinate stream will contain 0.07 kg benzene per kg water. The benzene-rich extract stream can be assumed to be free of water. Benzoic acid will be present in both raffinate and extract, and will distribute between them as: Kp=4= (kg benzoic acid/kg benzene)/(kg benzoic acid/(kg water+kg benzene). Suppose that benzoic acid extracted into the benzene is worth $1.35/kg, and suppose that benzene costs $0.03/kg. Calculate the maximum possible profit if the flow rate of benzene is 3000 kg/h.

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