Mathematical modeling of extractive rectification of a butyl butyrate–butyric acid mixture

The extractive rectification of a butyl butyrate–butyric acid mixture under reduced and atmospheric pressures has been studied by mathematical simulation using the Aspen Plus® v.8.0 software package. It has been shown that, from an energy point of view, extractive rectification of a butyl butyrate–butyric acid mixture should be performed under reduced pressure (e.g., 140 mm Hg) when this mixture is biazeotropic, rather than under atmospheric pressure when the system is zeotropic.