The GPSA

GPSA Engi
Engine
neer
erin
ing
g Data Book 1 has an excellent
Data Book 
section on reboilers. The most common types are the
following:

• Forced circulation (Figure 1)

•  Natural circulation (Figure 2)
Once-through
Recirculating
• Vertical thermosyphon (Figure 3)
• Horizontal thermosyphon (Figure 4)
• Flooded bundle (Kettle) (Figure 5) Figure 1. Forced-circulation reboiler arrangement.
• Recirculating—Baffled bottom (Figure 6)

For thermosyphon reboilers, the hydraulic aspects are

as important as the heat transfer aspects. The design of 
thermosyphon reboiler piping is too broad a subject for 
this handbook. Some good articles on the subject can be
found in References 2–14. Reference 3 is particularly
good for horizontal thermosyphon reboilers. Table 1 has
typical vertical thermosyphon design standards.

Figure 7 provides an overview of reboiler selection Figure 2. Natural-circulation

Natural-circulation reboiler arrangements.
choices. The accompanying notes provide information for 
a quick or “first cut” estimate of the appropriate type for 
a given application. Tables 2 12 and 313 provide additional,
more detailed, selection data. Table 2 gives advantages
and disadvantages for all the major reboiler types. Table
3 is limited to thermosyphon types.
For reboilers, especially thermosyphon types, “the
devil is in the details.” The information presented herein
is intended for preliminary work. Final design is per-
formed by experienced engineers using detailed design
techniques.
General notes for thermosyphon reboilers:

1. Never use inclined

inclined piping for two-phase flow in a
 process plant. This is particularly true for reboiler 
return piping. Use only horizontal or vertical runs.
2. If the reboiler heating
heating medium is condensing
condensing steam,
 provide a desuperheater if the superheat is
is more than
40–60°F.
(text continued on page 88) Figure 3. Vertical thermosyphon reboiler connected to
tower.
 Figure 6. Recirculating—Baffled bottom.13 (Reproduced
with permission of the American Institute of Chemical
Figure 4. Horizontal thermosyphon reboiler.
Engineers, copyright 1997 AIChE, all rights reserved.)

Figure 5. Kettle reboiler arrangement.

Table 1
Typical Thermosiphon Reboiler Design Standards*

*By permission, D. C. Lee, J. W. Dorsey, G. Z. Moore and F. D. Mayfield , Chem. Eng. Prog., Vol. 52, No. 4., p. 160 (1956).
**Cross Section area of vapor nozzle off to channel must be minimum of 1.25 times total flow area of all tubes.
 Figure 7. Quick Selection Guide.
1
Preferable to recirculating where acceptable vaporization rates can be maintained (less than 25–30%). This type is
chosen when there is a need to minimize exposure of degradable and/or fouling substances to high temperatures.
2
Used for large duties, dirty process, and frequent cleaning required. The process is usually in the shell side. This type
is used in 95% of oil refinery thermosyphon applications.
3
Used for small duties, clean process, and only infrequent cleaning required. Vaporization is usually less than 30%,
but less than 15% if the fractionator pressure is below 50 psig. The viscosity of the reboiler feed should be less than
0.5 cp. Put a butterfly valve in the reboiler inlet piping. This type is used in nearly 100% of chemical plant thermosyphon
applications (70% of petrochemical).
4
Greater stability than unbaffled.
5
Usually used where piping pressure drop is high and therefore natural circulation is impractical.
6
Very stable and easy to control. Has no two-phase flow. Allows low tower skirt height. This type is expensive, however.

Table 2
Reboiler Comparison12

(table continued on next page)

 Table 2 (continued)
Reboiler Comparison12

Reproduced with permission from Hydrocarbon Processing, Oct. 1992, copyright Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas, all rights reserved.

Table 3
Thermosyphon Selection Criteria 13

Reproduced with permission of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, copyright 1997 AIChE, all rights reserved.