A separator divides a process stream into three phases: a liquid organic stream, a liquid aqueous stream, and a gas stream. The feed stream contains three components, all of which are present to some extent in the separated steams. The composition and flow rate of the feed stream are known. All the streams will be at the same temperature and pressure. The phase equilibrium constants for the three components are available.
a. How many design variables must be specified in order to calculate the output stream compositions and flow rates?
b. How would you optimize these variables if the objective of the separator was to maximize recovery of condensable components into the organic liquid stream? What constraints might limit the attainable recovery?