A three-stage extraction of dilute solutions that uses pure solvent in every stage is able to recover a total solute fraction of 82%.

a) Determine the extraction factor, E.

b) Calculate the fraction of solute recovered in:

i. the first extraction stage.

ii. the second extraction stage.

c) Suppose each stage extracts solute from an aqueous phase of 100 volumes using 82 volumes of solvent. Determine the partition coefficient, K.

d) From part (c), comment on the efficiency of solvent used in this extraction process.