Abstract
The investigation and modeling of phase equilibrium in the extraction of aromatics from naphtha reformate using N-(β-cyanoethyl)-ε-caprolactam (NCECL) and water were conducted using the ASPEN HYSYS Program. The extraction process was studied at various temperatures (50, 70, 95, 110, and 125°C) and different proportions of water in the NCECL solvent (2%, 5%, and 8% by weight). The solvent-to-feed ratio was maintained at 2:1, and the concentration of aromatics in the feed remained constant at 42.71% by weight. Experimental results were compared to predictions made using the UNIFAC method. Successful predictions were made for the aromatic extraction capacity from reformation, processing index, solvent power, and solvent selectivity. The impact of water-content and temperature on selectivity, solubility, and distribution coefficient was investigated, and the equilibrium data was used to calculate the values of the distribution coefficient and selectivity. A low root mean square deviation value was obtained, and the experimental and calculated extract yields were determined under the best operating conditions, considering the specified temperature and water content. The optimal operating conditions were found to be a temperature of 50°C and a water content of 2%, resulting in extract yields of 52.77% and 56.80% for the experimental and calculated values, respectively.