Question

In a binary system, separation is very efficient when the relative volatility is

• A. Greater than \(1\)
• B. \(1\)
• C. Less than \(1\)
• D. \(0.5\)

Hint:

Higher relative volatility means easier separation by distillation. If \(\alpha=1\), separation is not possible by ordinary distillation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Relative volatility is an important factor in distillation. It represents how easily two components can be separated by vapor-liquid equilibrium. For a binary mixture, relative volatility is generally represented by: \[ \alpha \] If: \[ \alpha=1 \] then both components have equal volatility. In that case, separation by distillation is very difficult. If: \[ \alpha>1 \] then one component is more volatile than the other. As relative volatility increases, separation becomes easier and more efficient. Therefore, separation is efficient when relative volatility is: \[ \text{greater than }1 \] Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \text{Greater than }1 \]