column 200 as reflux via line 6 the water phase is transferred via lines 9 and 12 to steam generator 212 to generate stripping steam for src 214 rich solvent consists of pure aromatics and the solvent is withdrawn from the bottom of esc 204 and transferred to the middle portion of src 214 via lines 7 and 25 in order to minimize the bottom temperature of src 214 receiver 216 is connected to a vacuum source to generate sub atmospheric condition in src 214 stripping steam is injected from steam generator 212 via line 17 into the lower portion of src 214 to assist in the removal of aromatic hydrocarbons from the solvent an aromatic concentrate containing water and being substantially free of solvent and non aromatic hydrocarbons is withdrawn as an overhead vapor stream from src 214 and introduced into an overhead receiver 216 via line 20 after being condensed in a cooler not shown overhead receiver 216 serves to effect a phase separation between the aromatic hydrocarbon and the water phases a portion of the aromatic hydrocarbon phase is recycled to the top of src 214 as reflux via line 22 while the remainder portion is withdrawn as aromatic hydrocarbon product through line 23 water phase accumulated in the water leg of overhead receiver 216 is fed.