Question

What do you mean by the splitting point?

(a) The two streams split with different composition

(b) The two streams split with equal composition

(c) Assuming it’s not a reactor and there’s only 2 streams

(d) Assuming it’s not a reactor and there’s only 1 stream

This question was addressed to me in a job interview.

The doubt is from Material Balances with Recycle, By topic in division Material Balance of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) The two streams split with equal composition

Easy explanation: Splitting Point: 6 variables – 2 mass balances – 1 knowing compositions are the same – 1 splitting ratio = 2 DOF (Degree of freedom). The splitting point is special because when a stream is split, it generally is split into two streams with equal composition.