1. What is Recovery of Solute in Liquid-Liquid Extraction?

Definition: This calculator determines the fraction of solute recovered in liquid-liquid extraction processes, which is a key parameter in separation processes.

Purpose: It helps chemical engineers and process designers evaluate the efficiency of liquid-liquid extraction operations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( R_{solute} \) — Recovery of solute (dimensionless)
• \( x_C \) — Mass fraction of solute in the raffinate phase
• \( R \) — Raffinate phase flowrate (mol/s)
• \( z_C \) — Mass fraction of solute in the feed
• \( F \) — Feed flowrate (mol/s)

Explanation: The formula calculates what fraction of the solute is not lost in the raffinate phase, representing the recovery efficiency.

3. Importance of Solute Recovery Calculation

Details: Accurate recovery calculations are essential for process optimization, cost analysis, and environmental compliance in separation processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass fractions (between 0 and 1) and flowrates (must be positive). All values must be valid for calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a recovery of 1 mean?
A: A recovery of 1 (or 100%) means all solute was extracted and none remained in the raffinate phase.

Q2: What's a typical good recovery value?
A: Values above 0.9 (90%) are generally considered good, but this depends on the specific process requirements.

Q3: Can recovery be negative?
A: No, recovery values range between 0 (no recovery) and 1 (complete recovery).

Q4: How do I improve solute recovery?
A: Options include using more extractant, multiple extraction stages, or optimizing operating conditions.

Q5: Does this account for solvent loss?
A: No, this only calculates solute recovery. Solvent loss would need separate consideration.