Experiments of extractive distillation at laboratory scale for the ruptureof the azeotropic mixture acetone plus isopropyl ether

In this work, the results obtained with nine solvents used as entrainers fo r extractive distillation are presented for the rupture of the acetone +iso propyl ether azeotropic mixture. The solvents used were chosen from the mem bers of the same homologous series, that is to say ketones and ethers as we ll as an alcohol, a nitrile and two aromatic compounds. The experiments wer e carried out in an experimental device at laboratory scale designed in our department and at a pressure of 101.3 kPa. The most adequate behavior is t hat of the butyl ether and of the p-xylene in view of the analysis of the d istillate. Mole fractions of acetone of 0.990 and 0.962 respectively with b oth entrainers are obtained in the head of the column. We have also carried out a study of the possible reversion of the volatility with each entraine r in particular. This effect has only been observed with the two ketones an d with the butyronitrile. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.