1. What is Solute Free Mole Fraction of Liquid in Inlet?

Definition: The solute free mole fraction (X₀) is the mole fraction of the solute in the solvent (liquid) at the column inlet, calculated on a solute-free basis.

Purpose: This calculation is important in chemical engineering processes, particularly in absorption and stripping columns where solute concentrations need to be tracked.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( X_0 \) — Solute free mole fraction of liquid in inlet
• \( x_1 \) — Liquid inlet mole fraction (must be between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula converts the standard mole fraction to a solute-free basis by accounting for the solvent fraction.

3. Importance of Solute Free Mole Fraction

Details: Using solute-free basis calculations simplifies mass balance equations in separation processes by eliminating the solvent from the calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the liquid inlet mole fraction (x₁) as a decimal between 0 and 1 (e.g., 0.05 for 5%).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use solute-free mole fraction instead of regular mole fraction?
A: Solute-free basis simplifies calculations in separation processes where the solvent quantity remains constant.

Q2: What's the range of valid input values?
A: The liquid inlet mole fraction must be between 0 (no solute) and 1 (pure solute, though this would make the denominator zero).

Q3: How is this different from mass fraction?
A: This is a mole fraction calculation, which uses molecular counts rather than mass weights.

Q4: When would I need this calculation?
A: Primarily in designing absorption towers, stripping columns, or other mass transfer operations.

Q5: What if I get an extremely large result?
A: This occurs as x₁ approaches 1, indicating nearly pure solute where the solute-free basis becomes less meaningful.