At minimum reflux ratio for a given separationa)number of plates is ze...
Minimum reflux ratio and number of plates
Explanation:
Definition of reflux ratio: Reflux ratio is defined as the ratio of liquid reflux to the distillate product.
Minimum reflux ratio: The minimum reflux ratio is the smallest amount of reflux that is required to achieve a desired degree of separation in a distillation column.
Number of plates: The number of plates in a distillation column is the number of theoretical stages required to achieve a desired degree of separation.
Relationship between minimum reflux ratio and number of plates: The minimum reflux ratio required to achieve a desired degree of separation increases as the number of plates in the column increases.
At minimum reflux ratio: At the minimum reflux ratio for a given separation, the number of plates in the column is infinite.
Explanation: This is because the minimum reflux ratio is the lowest possible amount of reflux that can be used to achieve a desired degree of separation. At this ratio, the column will require an infinite number of plates to achieve the desired separation, because the amount of separation achieved by each plate is minimal.
Efficiency of separation: The efficiency of the separation is not necessarily the most efficient at the minimum reflux ratio. The efficiency of the separation depends on the number of plates in the column, the reflux ratio, and the feed composition.
Conclusion: Therefore, the correct answer is option B, which states that the number of plates is infinite at the minimum reflux ratio for a given separation.