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Literature - Steam Stripping
Literature - Steam Stripping
Dilute mixtures of organic materials in water can be concentrated by a process known as steam stripping.
The end products of such operation are a clean water stream almost devoid of organic materials, and a
highly concentrated organic stream suitable for recycle to a process or for disposal. The use of heat in the
form of steam as a separating agent offers significant advantages over other methods, such as inert gas (air)
stripping.
WHY USE STEAM STRIPPING?
Steam stripping for water clean-up is essentially a distillation process where the heavy product is water and
the light product is a mixture of volatile organics. These organics are present in the feed water in relatively
small concentrations. The process of steam stripping takes place at high temperatures compared to air
stripping, usually very close to the boiling point of water. Since the volatility of the organics is a very strong
function of temperature, the high stripping temperatures inherent in steam stripping allow for the removal
of heavier, more soluble organics that are not strippable with air.
Another very important feature of steam stripping is the fact that no off-gas treatment is needed, and that
the only waste stream generated is a small amount of very concentrated organics. These are easily dealt
with by incineration, biological treatment, or recycled to process.
In summary, steam stripping is a good solution for wastewater streams that contain fairly soluble,
non-volatile organics and where no off-gas stream is desired. On the other hand, steam striping does
necessitate the presence of steam (or process heat) and would tend to be more capital intensive than air
stripping. Ideal settings for steam stripping are oil refineries, petrochemical, and chemical plants.
WHAT IS STEAM STRIPPING?
A wastewater stream is heated and put in intimate contact with steam in a packed or trayed tower. The
combined effects of the steam and heat, or temperature cause organic material to transfer from the liquid
to the vapor phase. This material is then carried out with the vapor. As contacting proceeds down the
tower, the wastewater becomes leaner in the organic material while the vapor phase becomes more
enriched as it travels up the tower.
Steam is injected at the bottom of the tower to provide heat and vapor flow. Clean water leaves the bottom
of the tower. The wastewater is fed at the top of the tower and the steam leaves the top heavily laden with
organic material. This steam/organic combination is condensed and processed further as detailed in the
next few pages. The net effect achieved in the steam stripper and condenser is that a contaminated
wastewater and steam are injected into the tower and a clean water stream is obtained. A low-volume,
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
Design at low stripping steam rates is desirable since it reduces the downstream processing requirements.
Figure 5 illustrates how sensitive the process is to steam flow. Optimum designs require stripping factors
between 1.5 and 4. These stripping factors mandate more stages for separation and taller packed heights.
Design under these conditions becomes very sensitive to the reliability of the equilibrium data and the mass
transfer models. This is also the case where excellent packings and internals are necessary and where
vendor experience in design of steam stripping systems is invaluable.
THE STEAM STRIPPER AND OTHER COLUMNS IN THE SYSTEM.
The contacting devices in the steam stripping system are where the mass transfer takes place. They are
vertical countercurrent vessels filled with a mass transfer device. In general, these devices are either sieve
trays, random packings, or structured packings (the level of efficiency and capacity follows the same order
and so does their sensitivity to fouling).
The columns are also equipped with liquid distributors and support plates for the packing. In the case of
deep bed requirements, intermediate liquid collectors and redistributors are also installed to ensure good
performance. Figure 6 shows different combinations of internals that can be installed in a steam stripper.
In most cases though, only combinations of trays and packings (with the associated internals) are used.
Jaeger Products, Inc. offers all internal devices necessary for steam strippers and distillation columns in
a variety of designs and materials to suit the application.
HOW CAN JAEGER HELP YOU IN STEAM STRIPPING APPLICATIONS?
Jaeger Products, Inc. has extensive experience in the successful design of steam stripping systems for
organic removal and recovery. Our engineering staff can provide you with a complete process design, and
with the necessary engineering, specify the contacting column in detail, and supply you with all process
specification for the peripheral equipment as illustrated in Figure 7. Our database is very extensive and
chances are there are very few organics we have not tackled. We can simulate and optimize a complete
steam stripping and solvent recovery unit using the most advanced and comprehensive models. Our
calculations will account for unusual vapor/liquid equilibria and will incorporate the best mass transfer
efficiency rating methods available.
We have a complete line of packings, trays, and tower internals that can satisfy any steam stripping needs.
The performance of the system depends heavily on the correct internals selection as well as on a good
process design; Jaeger can assist you with both so that total responsibility is easily identified. Although
we normally do not provide turn-key systems, we can direct and/or assist you in such a project. We can
also put you in contact with a systems manufacturer that would provide a turn-key project with Jaeger
engineering and hardware.
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
STEAM STRIPPING
Application information for design
(Copy, fill out, and fax pertinent information and we will be glad to assist you with a design.)
Company
Person Responsible
Address
Telephone
Fax
Your Reference
Date
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
Utilities Available:
Heating medium:
Saturated steam
for steam:
Coolant:
pressure
Water
Temperature
Hot water
psi,
temperature
Brine
Inlet--summer
F,
Outlet--maximum
F,
winter
minimum
Feed
Distillate
Bottom product
Steam
F
D
B
S
=
=
=
=
lb/h
lb/h
lb/h
lb/h
Weight %
Mole fraction
PPM
PPB
Table 1A
Component (I)
Name
Mole Mass
Total
Feed F
Distillate D
Bottom
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
continuously
F, bottom pressure
or head pressure
intermittently
psia
psi
Calculated pressure performance data (if separation problem has been calculated by the customer)
Number of theoretical stages
in rectifying section
(section D)
in stripping section
(section B)
Total
Loading
Column head:
Gas
GD =
lb/h
lb/lbmol pD =
psia
Liquid
LD =
lb/h
lb/lbmol tD =
Gas
GB =
lb/h
lb/lbmol pB =
psia
Liquid
LB =
lb/h
lb/lbmol tB =
Bottom:
Feed
Column sizing
by Jaeger
vapor
flash
yes/no
yes/no
by customer
in.
Packing type
total h eight
Number of sections
partly vapor
, rectifying section
ft.
, stripping section
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
Table 2
Designation of components
Name of components
Molecular Weight
Units
lb/lbmol
F (liquid)
lb/ft
Dynamic viscosity
G: vapor _____ F
cp
Density
p/H
t(F)
L: liquid _____ F
Heat of evaporation
Boiling point
(Vapor pressure curves)
of the pure components)
or
Antoine constants
log p = A - B/(C+t)
or
Henry s constants (H)
Btu/lb
p or H
in
atmosphere
A=
B=
C=
A=
B=
C=
A=
B=
C=
JPI\1996STMT.DOC
A=
B=
C=
A=
B=
C=