EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION BY SALT EFFECT

Extractive distillation employing a dissolved salt instead of a liquid third component as the separating agent is a promising but relatively neglected technique for achieving azeotropic and other difficult separations. In systems for which a soluble and effective salt can be found, major savings in both capital and energy costs are possible. The technical aspects of such processing are described using examples from our own work and that of others. The pioneering work by Donald F. Othmer in this field is outlined.