This document discusses multistage separation processes and provides an example problem. It introduces the Ponchon Savarit method for determining the minimum number of theoretical plates in a distillation column. This includes calculating enthalpy and equilibrium values, determining flow rates of distillate and bottoms, and using graphs to find the minimum reflux ratio. For the example of separating an ethanol-water mixture, the number of plates is calculated as 14 when using a reflux ratio of 1.25 times the minimum, and as 10 plates when using a condenser duty of 106 BTU/h. The reboiler duty is also determined.