The principles concerning the evolution of pinch-point zones with variation
of the vapor-liquid ratio in the stripping section of a multicomponent dis
tillation column with an infinite number of stages, which are similar to th
ose of the pinch-point zones in the rectifying section published in a prece
ding paper, are given in this work. Based on these new findings, a new meth
od for calculating the minimum reflux ratio of multicomponent continuous di
stillation can be developed.