In the production of aniline by the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, the reactor products are separated from unreacted hydrogen in a condenser. The condensate, which is mainly water and aniline, together with a small amount of unreacted nitrobenzene and cyclohexylamine, is fed to a decanter to separate the water and aniline. The separation will not be complete, as aniline is slightly soluble in water, and water in aniline. A typical material balance for the decanter is given below:

Design a decanter for this duty, for a feed-rate of 3500 kg/h. Concentrate on the separation of the water and aniline. The densities of water-aniline solutions are given in Appendix F, problem F.8. The decanter will operate at a maximum temperature of 30°C.

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Basis 100 kg feed water aniline nitrobenzene cyclohexylamine total feed 23.8 72.2 3.2 0.8 100 aqueous stream 21.4 1.1 trace 0.8 23.3 organic stream 2.4 71.1 3.2 trace 76.7