Question

Outline a separation scheme for a mixture of ethylbenzene. Explain the principle behind each of the steps in the separation scheme.

Answer 1

Separation of ethylbenzene is necessary during the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to form styrene monomere. During the preparation of styrene monomere by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene, the mixture contains ethylbenzene, styrene monomere and water vapor.

Here water is imissible with both ethylbenzene and styrene monomere. Water is separated with the help of a horizental gravity separator.

Now ethylbenzene and styrene monomere are miscible with each other and can be separated by fractional distillation.