Separation of azeotropes
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What are everyone’s opinions and insights on the separation and simulation of azeotropes! For example, the separation of cyclohexane (8% wt), sec-butanol (12% wt), and water (82% wt). For this mixture, in which water constitutes the largest proportion of the composition, we first carry out a rough purification process to remove most of the sec-butanol and cyclohexane as well as a small amount of water; thereafter, layer separation is achieved using a decanter, and further purification is carried out via a Radfrac distillation column. The upper layer contains cyclohexane, while the lower layer contains sec-butanol, but it seems that very high purity cannot be achieved. There is also a method of separation and purification through vacuum distillation, which was found to meet the requirements. So, to sum up, are most azeotropes separated by vacuum distillation? ? ?
Not necessarily; reducing pressure is done to lower the boiling point, and another factor is the selection of the cooling medium.