In a distillation column, is it possible to achieve 100% or complete separation of the components (assuming they do not form azeotrope)?
I suppose, in theory, nothing is 100%, but you can get close to 100% separation if the boiling points and vapor pressures are sufficiently separated.
In a distillation column, it is generally not possible to achieve 100% or complete separation of the components, even if they do not form an azeotrope. This is because the separation in a distillation column is based on the difference in volatility (boiling points) of the components.
During the distillation process, the components with lower boiling points vaporize and rise up the column, while the components with higher boiling points remain as liquid and collect at the bottom. However, there will always be some degree of overlap in the boiling points of the components, which leads to partial separation rather than complete separation.
To understand why this occurs, it's important to consider the concept of vapor-liquid equilibrium. In a distillation column, the vapor and liquid phases are in equilibrium with each other, meaning that they have the same composition at a given temperature and pressure. At each equilibrium stage within the distillation column, partial vaporization and condensation occur, leading to some separation of the components. However, achieving complete separation becomes increasingly difficult as the boiling points of the components become closer.
To improve the separation efficiency, multiple stages of vaporization and condensation are used in a distillation column, such as through the use of trays or packing materials. These stages allow for more contact between the rising vapor and falling liquid, increasing the overall separation efficiency. However, even with multiple stages, complete separation is still not attainable.
In summary, while a distillation column can achieve significant separation of components based on their boiling points, it is generally not possible to achieve 100% or complete separation, even in the absence of azeotropes, due to the overlapping boiling points of the components.