ABSTRACT
Mixtures exhibiting non-ideal solution behavior present both challenges and opportunities in connection with separation processes. Azeotropes cannot be separated by ordinary distillation, yet the formation of azeotropes itself may be used as a means for carrying out certain separations. The formation of two liquid phases in a column may complicate the separation process; however, the coexistence of liquid phases with distinct compositions provides one more separation tool. Chemical reactions concurrent with distillation may be used either to enhance the separation or to perform both the reaction and the separation in one process.
