Distillation column

Device

• housing with contact devices in height;
• introducing raw materials into a zone where the composition and temperature are close to equilibrium;
• reflux condenser and distillate selection at the top;
• boiler and bottom removal;
• side selections for intermediate fractions;
• instrumentation fittings, safety valves, maintenance hatches.

Plates and nozzle

Disc columns - valve, sieve, cap - are used for heavy loads and contaminated environments. Packed (structured and irregular packing) provide less hydraulic resistance and are used in vacuum columns where pressure drop is important.

Design Constraints

• resistance to flooding and minimal load;
• corrosion resistance: sour environments require stainless steels or coatings;
• temperature deformations and compensation of thermal expansion;
• explosion protection and industrial safety according to current standards.

Operation

The main maintenance tasks are stable irrigation, control of pressure drop across the column, absence of liquid carryover with vapors, and temperature control of product quality. Deviation of the mode upward in the load leads to flooding, downward - to loss of separation.