Question: In a countercurrent extractor, a CaCO3-NaOH mixture is being extracted with pure water to separate NaOH. The feed mixture contains 1000 kg/h of CaCO3 (inert),

In a countercurrent extractor, a CaCO3-NaOH mixture is being extracted with pure water to separate NaOH. The feed mixture contains 1000 kg/h of CaCO3 (inert), 100 kg/h of NaOH, and 50 kg/h of H2O. The extract phase consists of 90% water and 10% NaOH by weight. Assuming a constant bottom stream, 1 ton of solution (water + NaOH) is retained per ton of inert material. During extraction, 98% of NaOH is extracted. If we assume each stage is at equilibrium, how many ideal stages are required?

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Chemical Engineering Questions!