The chemical process requires that the recovered acetone from a waste stream, which also contains chloroform, meets certain criteria. The distillation column to be used for this separation is already in place and has the equivalent to 12 theoretical trays (not including the reboiler)
The waste stream is a mixture containing 60 mole % acetone and 40 mole % chloroform. The chemical process requires the top product to contain not less than 90 mole % acetone in order for it to meet specification required for reuse into the chemical process. It is also required that the bottom product contains 50 mole % acetone. As part of the setup of the existing distillation column there is a heat exchanger on the feed line into the column that allows the feed to enter at its bubble point and at a rate of 100 mol/hr.