Universal Separation Potential for Multicomponent Mixtures: Reasons for Its Absence

The topic of this study is discussion aimed at developing a unified viewpoint on the problem of separation potential and separating power in the theory of separation of multicomponent molecular and isotopic mixtures. The object of study was the “generalized” separation potential for multicomponent mixtures. A critical assessment of its validity from thermodynamic viewpoint was given. The assumptions made during its derivation were analyzed.