Adsorption vs Distillation

Because of its simplicity and near universal applicability, distillation has assumed a dominant role in separations technology and is the standard against which other potential processes are generally measured. However, distillation is not an energy efficient process and with the rising cost of energy alternative separation processes have attracted increasing attention. 

FIGURE 1.1, Variation of thermal efficiency (tj), minimum number of theoretical stages (V), and minimum reflux ratio (/ ) with relative volatility ( ) for separation of a 50-50 molar mixture into top and bottom products each of 99% purity. 

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