Distillation Column Design

CHE 141
Course Objectives

Estimate the required column diameter

and column height for a given binary
system
Perform plate hydraulics design
Distillation Column Design
Distillation Column Design

1. Specify the degree of separation required (product purity)

2. Select the operating conditions (batch or continuous,
operating pressure)
3. Select the type of contacting device (plates or packings)
4. Determine the stage and reflux requirements (number of
equilibrium stages)
5. Size the column (diameter, number of real stages)
6. Design the column internals (plates, distributors and
packing supports)
7. Mechanical design (vessel and internal fittings)
Column Sizing
 The overall height of the
Column Height column will depend on the
plate spacing.
 Plate spacings from
0.15 to 1 meter are
normally used.
 Consider 0.5 meter as
initial estimate.

0.5 m
Column Height = No. of
Theoretical Stages divided
by Efficiency x Tray
Spacing
Typical overall column
efficiency is 70%.
Column Sizing

Column Diameter
 The principal factor that
determines the column
diameter is the vapor flow
rate.
 The vapor velocity must
be below that which would
cause excessive liquid
entrainment or a high
pressure drop.
Column Sizing

Column Diameter

Note: Column diameter should be routed up to nearest 100 mm.

Types of Trays

Sieve Plate (Perforated Plate)

 Simplest type of cross-flow plate.
 The vapor passes up through
perforations in the plate and the
liquid is retained on the plate by the
vapor flow.
 The perforations are usually
small holes, but larger holes and
slots can be used.
Types of Trays
 Bubble-cap plates are plates in which the
Bubble-cap Plates vapor passes up through short pipes, called
risers, covered by a cap with a serrated edge
or slots.
 Traditional and oldest type of cross-flow
plate
 Ensures that a level of liquid is maintained
on the tray at all vapor flow rates.
Types of Trays

Floating-cap Plates
 They are essentially sieve plates
with large-diameter holes covered by
movable flaps, which lift as the vapor
flow increases.
 As the area for vapor flow varies
with the flow rate, valve plates can
operate efficiently at lower flow rates
than sieve plates (the valves closing at
low vapor rates).
 The cost of valve plates is
intermediate between sieve plates and
bubble-cap plates.
Types of Trays

Fixed Valve Plates

 Similar to sieve plate, except the holes are only partially punched out, so
that the hole remains partially covered.
 Almost as inexpensive as sieve trays and have improved turndown
performance.
 Plate Hydraulic Design

 The upper limit of vapor flow is

set by the condition of flooding.
At flooding, there is a sharp drop
in plate efficiency and increase in
pressure drop.

 The lower limit of vapor flow is

set by the condition of weeping.
Weeping occurs when the vapor
flow is insufficient to maintain a
level of liquid on the plate.

Performance diagram for Sieve Plate.

 Plate Design Procedure
1. Calculate the maximum and minimum vapor and liquid flow rates for rated
and turndown capacity.
2. Collect or estimate the system physical properties.
3. Select a trial plate spacing.
4. Estimate the column diameter, based on flooding considerations.
5. Decide the liquid flow arrangement.
6. Make a trial plate layout: downcomer area, active area, hole area, hole size,
weir height
7. Check the weeping rate; if unsatisfactory, return to step 6
8. Check the plate pressure drop; if too high, return to step 6.
9. Check the downcomer backup; if too high, return to step 6 or 3.
10. Decide plate layout details: calming zones, unperforated areas. Check hole
pitch; if unsatisfactory return to step 6.
11. Recalculate the percentage flooding based on chosen column diamater.
12. Check entrainment; if too high, return to step 4.
13. Optimize design; repeat step 3 to 12 and find the smallest diameter and plate
spacing acceptable (lowest cost)
14. Finalize the design: draw up the plate specification and sketch the layout.
Packed Bed
Packed Bed
Packed Bed
References

See “Chapter 17: Separation

Columns” of “Chemical Engineering
Design” by Towler, et. al. 2nd ed. 2013.
Assignment (per Group)

Develop a detailed design of the Deethanizer Column.

Refer to the Process Datasheet in Moodle.

Send your output to rommelbsantos@gmail.com on or

before 1:00 PM August 9, 2014.