To design a distillation column that can effectively separate a mixture of ethanol and water with the given specifications, we need to follow these steps:1. Determine the boiling points of ethanol and water at the desired pressure.2. Calculate the vapor-liquid equilibrium VLE data for the ethanol-water system.3. Determine the operating conditions temperature, pressure, and feed rate needed to achieve the desired separation.Step 1: Boiling points of ethanol and waterAt atmospheric pressure 1 atm or 101.3 kPa , the boiling points of ethanol and water are 78.37C and 100C, respectively. For this problem, we will assume that the distillation column operates at atmospheric pressure.Step 2: Vapor-liquid equilibrium VLE dataThe VLE data for the ethanol-water system can be obtained from literature or experimental data. For this problem, we will use the following simplified equation for the relative volatility of ethanol to water: = P_water_sat / P_ethanol_sat = 1.25Step 3: Operating conditionsUsing the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland method, we can determine the number of equilibrium stages, the feed stage, and the operating temperature for each stage.a Number of equilibrium stages N :N = log[ xD - xB / xF - xB ] / log - 1where xD, xF, and xB are the mole fractions of ethanol in the distillate, feed, and bottoms, respectively.N = log[ 0.95 - 0.05 / 0.60 - 0.05 ] / log 1.25 - 1 9.5Since we have 10 theoretical stages, the number of equilibrium stages is sufficient for the desired separation.b Feed stage NF :NF = N * xF - xB / xD - xB NF = 9.5 * 0.60 - 0.05 / 0.95 - 0.05 6.3The feed stage is approximately the 6th stage from the top.c Operating temperature for each stage:Using the VLE data and the relative volatility, we can determine the operating temperature for each stage by interpolating between the boiling points of ethanol and water. The top stage will be close to the boiling point of ethanol 78.37C , and the bottom stage will be close to the boiling point of water 100C .Step 4: Reflux ratio and feed rateThe given reflux ratio L/D is 1.5. The feed rate F can be determined based on the desired production rate of the distillate D and bottoms B products:F = D + BAssuming a desired distillate production rate, the feed rate can be calculated accordingly.In summary, the distillation column should operate at atmospheric pressure with 10 theoretical stages and a reflux ratio of 1.5. The feed stage is approximately the 6th stage from the top, and the operating temperatures for each stage should be interpolated between the boiling points of ethanol and water. The feed rate can be determined based on the desired production rate of the distillate and bottoms products.