Distillation – Basic Theory

 Simple Rules of Vapor Liquid Equilibrium

 Vapor pressure of liquid depends on temperature.
 Heat input raises vapor pressure of liquid.
 A liquid boils when its vapor pressure equals the
system pressure.
 Higher the vapor pressure lower the boiling point.
 Volatile liquids have high vapor pressure.
 The vapor pressure and hence the boiling point of a
liquid mixture depends on the relative amounts of the
components in the mixture
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Physical Separation Processes

Distillation Absorption Stripping Extraction
(Fractionation)

 Distillation is the most common separation technique

 Distillation is energy intensive process
 It has large heating and cooling load
 It can contribute to 30-60% of plant operating costs

2
 Distillation – Basic Theory
Physical Separation Processes, contd..
 Fractionation is a unit that has both a reboiler to supply
heat at the bottom and a condenser to take heat out from
the top. This is normally called distillation.
 Absorption is a unit that has no method at the top of the
tower to take heat out. An external liquid is supplied
from outside the system to absorb material from the
vapor.
 Stripping is a unit that has an external stream (gas or
steam) supplied from outside the system to strip light
material from the liquid. It may have a reboiler at the
bottom of the tower to put heat in.
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Boiling Point Curve of a Mixture

 The equilibrium
compositions of the
components in a liquid
mixture vary with
temperature at a fixed
pressure.
 When a liquid with mole
fraction of A=0.4 (point A) is
heated, its concentration
remains constant until it
reaches the bubble-point
(point B). It starts to boil.
The vapours evolved during
the boiling has the
equilibrium composition
given by point C.`
4
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Vapour Liquid Equilibrium Curve of a Binary Mixture

Constant Pressure VLE Data from Boiling Point Diagrams give
VLE Diagram

5
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Relative Volatility of component 1

and 2 in a mixture is given by-

Relative Volatility = [y1/x1] /

[y2/x2]

Where-

y is the composition in vapor phase

and x is the component in liquid
phase at a particular pressure and
temperature.

6
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Fractionation System

7
Distillation – Basic Theory

8
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Trays

9
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Packings

10
 Distillation – Basic Theory
Distillation Process
 Description
 Distillation columns carry out physical
separation of liquid chemical components
from a mixture by
 a combination of transfer of heat energy (to
vaporize lighter components)
 mass transfer between the liquid and vapor
phases.
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Heat Exchangers (Cooler, Reboiler)

12
 Distillation – Basic Theory

Basic Operation and Terminology

 The feed is introduced

usually somewhere
near the middle of the
column to a tray Trays
known as the feed
COLUMN
tray.
 The feed tray divides
the column into a top
(enriching or
rectification) section
and a bottom HEAT IN
(stripping) section.

13
 Distillation – Basic Theory
Basic Operation and Terminology, contd..
 Certain products can be drawn from one of the
trays and is called side draw off.
 Each tray attains a “equilibrium temperature”. A
temperature profile takes place along the
distillation column, the highest being at the
bottom and the lowest being at the top.
 Packed Vs Tray Column and Tray
Types
Packed Column Vs Tray Column
Packed Column Tray Column
 Low pressure drop High pressure Drop
 Good for vacuum service Not recommended for high vacuum
service
 Less flexibility for side draw Flexible for side
draw
 Good for corrosive service Expensive for corrosive
service
 Ideal for small diameter Expensive for small
diameter
 Not preferred for high pressure Good at high pressure
 Not used for Residence time Good when high Residence
time
limitations required
 Usually avoided for low Good for low liquid
loading
Liquid loading 15
 Packed Vs Tray Column and
Tray Types
 Various types of trays are used in the Industry. The following are
commonly used:
 Valves Trays or improved valve trays
 Sieve Trays
 Bubble cap trays
 Baffle Trays
 Valve trays are widely used and offer the following advantages
over other types:
 Offer better efficiency at varying gas load
 Cost is lower
 Works better at lower vapour loading
 Packed Vs Tray Column and
Tray Types
 Sieve trays are used often and are selected for fouling
service. They are one of the cheapest trays.
 Bubble cap trays are most expensive and were used
widely, but lately use has diminished. It provides
positive sealing against weeping.
 Baffle trays are the least efficient and are used only in
high fouling service
 For small diameter column, cartridge trays are specified.
 Multi-pass trays are used for large diameter columns
 Packed Vs Tray Column and
Tray Types
Packing
 Packing were often used in the early years of development of
process industry and lately they are again gaining popularity
 Random or structure pickings are used. Popular random packings
are pall rings, IMTP, CMR, rasching ring etc. Structure packings are
more proprietary. The most popular are corrugated plates.
 Random packings are widely used compared to Structure packing
 They are evaluated based on surface area per unit volume. Higher
the value, better the packing.
 The design of distributors and redistributors is very critical for
satisfactory performance of the packing
 Distillation Calculation
Methods
Estimate using Short-cut methods
 The operating pressure for column is to be decided. In
general lower the operating pressure, easier the
separation. However, lower the pressure, larger the
column size. Select optimum pressure based on
expected temperature, utilities available, product
degradation, refrigeration requirement etc.
 Initial estimate on pressure drop may be done based on
70 mmwc for pressure drop in each tray and 40 mmwc
per meter of packed height for random packing.
 Distillation Calculation
Methods
HETP
 HETP (Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate) values are used for
calculating total packed height from the number of trays calculated using
simulator.
 HETP value is calculated based on experience and vendor information.
 While calculating the HETP, the liquid distribution for each bed plays a
major role.
 The typical value of HETP for most random packing is 300 mm to 800 mm.
The corresponding value for structural packing is some what lower. Smaller
the packing, lower the HETP value
 The total packed height is divided into number of beds. Each bed may
have height equivalent to 6 to 15 theoretical trays for random packing.
 H/D Ratio for a random packed bed is limited to 8. Often bed height is
restricted to 6 m. Higher packed height per bed is permitted for structure
packing.
 Distillation Calculation
Methods
Column Diameter and Height Calculation
 Tray Column
 Calculate total number of trays required
 Calculate column diameter based on vapour and
liquid flow rates. Preliminary calculations can be
done using simulator. Tray vendor will give accurate
data. Tray diameter calculation depends on tray
spacing. Therefore, some optimization calculation
may be required.
 Tray spacing varies from 250 mm to 750 mm. Most
hydrocarbon services use tray spacing of 450 mm to
600 mm.
 Distillation Calculation
Methods
Column Diameter and Height Calculation
 Provide space of about 800 mm to 1000 mm at the top
of 1st tray for man-way.
 Provide liquid level at column bottom based on
residence time required. Note that liquid disappears
due to bottom product removal and due to
vaporization.
 Provide adequate space between HHLL and the last
tray for proper separation of vapour and liquid.
 Column hydraulics shall be such that normal
operation is away from entrainment, flooding,
choking etc.
 Distillation Calculation Methods

Limits of Normal Operation

23
 Distillation Calculation
Methods
Packed Column
 Calculate HETP as described above. This includes selecting size of
the packing. Larger the packing, smaller the diameter, but higher the
HETP value.
 Calculate total packed height above and below the feed location.
 Divide the total packed height into number of beds such that each
bed has about 10 theoretical stages.
 Calculate column diameter using simulator based on hydraulics data
and packing selected. Specify pressure drop in the range of 25
mmwc to 40 mmwc per meter of packed height. This is finalized
after discussion with packing vendor.
 Calculate overall column dimensions as described for tray column.
 Distillation Calculation Methods
Packed Column Pressure-drop Calculation Chart

25
 Column Internals

Internals
 Tray Column
 Trays
 Chimney Tray
 Feed Pipes
 Gas Distributor
 Partition Plate
 Packed Column
 Packing
 Distributor / Redistributor
 Support Plate
 Hold drum plate / bed limitors
 Feed Pipe
 Gas Distributor
 Column Internals

Support Plate

27
 Column Internals

Hold Down Plate

28
 Column Internals

Redistributor

29
 Distillation Control

Pressure Control
 For steady operation to meet the required performance it
is essential to have a steady pressure of column
operation.
 Depending on the type of column and fraction of
condensation of the top vapors, (100% condensation to
minimal Condensation), there are several methods for
pressure control.
 Distillation pressure control uses either mass or energy
balances around the unit.
 Mass balance methods control pressure by regulating the
amount of flow into or out of the tower.
 Distillation Control

Pressure Control, contd..

 Energy methods regulate the heat flow into and out of
the tower.
 Increasing the heat load in the reboiler will result in
increased pressure of the column.
 Excessive heating load at the reboiler can generate over-
pressure and popping of safety valve.
 Some pressure control methods are shown in the next
slide.
 Distillation Control
Column Pressure Control
PC

PC

M
M

Method 2: Vary condensing area.

Method 1: Direct control of Process: Can operate at zero
vapor product rate vapor product rate. Should not be used in
Method: Vary net vapor rate, no systems with large
make-up gas. quantities of non- condensable gas.
Process: Must always have Advantages: Condenser may be
vapor product. mounted below condensate drum.
Advantages: Simple and direct. Disadvantages: Concept is not
Disadvantages: Generally none. straightforward.
Response may be slow when vapor
rate is low
32
 Distillation Control

 Temperature Control
 iThe column must operate at a fixed pressure, which is
the optimum pressure for the separation of the products,
meeting specifications.
 In vapor liquid equilibrium phenomena like distillation,
there are three variables of thermodynamic equilibrium
relationship i.e. temperature , pressure and composition.
 If any two are fixed, the third is automatically set at its
unique thermodynamic value.
 Once the column pressure is fixed, it is necessary to
control the temperatures in the column to get the right
product specification.
 Distillation Control

Temperature Control, contd..

 The temperature depends on the heat balance achieved
between the following:
 Heat entering with the feed.
 Heat going out with the products.
 Heat going out at the top condenser.
 Condenser duty depends on Reflux ratio (Cooling and
condensing of top vapors takes out the heat)
 Reboiler heat input.
 Since the product have to go out at a temperature
consistent with its composition at the column operating
pressure, the control is achieved through the other three
variables.
 Distillation Control

Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column

 The example is taken from Simcon training module SPM-700
Distillation Column.
 The control system is configured to separate a binary mixture of
any two of the paraffins C1 through C8 (methane, ethane, propane,
butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, and octane respectively).
 The default configuration is for hexane (C6) and heptane (C7). The
distillation column (C-301) feed is pumped (P-101/2) through a
preheater (E-101) where its temperature is raised to the optimum
temperature of the feed tray.
 The distillation column (C-301) is heated with a thermosyphon type
reboiler (E-401). The bottoms product is pumped (P-501/2) out of
the distillation column (C-301) to a product storage facility.
 Distillation Control

Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column

 (The distillation column (C-301) vapors are condensed in
an overhead condenser (E-601) and enter a reflux drum
(D-701) where the liquid is accumulated.
 The uncondensed vapors can be vented through a vent
line.
 Reflux pumps (P-801/2) draw liquid from the bottom of
the reflux drum (D-701) and pump part of the liquid
back (reflux) to the distillation column (C-301). The
balance of the liquid is sent to a product storage facility.
 Distillation Control
Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column, contd.
Feed System FI-201
TI-201
TIC-102
AI-101 HB-101 FIC-101
HV-101
E-101

P-101/2 FEED TO COLUMN

TI-101
HB-102 TI-202
HV-102

FEED SUPPLY HV-202 HV-201

For fee stream, flow rate (capacity) and temperature are controlled
37
 Distillation Control
Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column, contd.

38
 Distillation Control
Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column, contd.

39
 Distillation Control
Temperature Control in a Binary Distillation Column, contd.

40
DISTILLATION COLUMN - Design

HEIGHT is determined by DIAMETER is determined by

A. Difficulty in Separation A. Vapor / Liquid traffic

 Desired purity of  Feed
the products  Stripping vapor /
 Relative volatility reflux
B. Energy input B. Operating Pressure
C. Efficiency of internals C. Capacity of the Internals

41
DISTILLATION COLUMN - Design

 Number of Theoretical Stages (NTS)

 Tray Efficiency – No. of Trays
 Packing HETP – Packed Bed Height

 Vapor-Liquid Traffic
 Hydraulic Design Proprietary Software to arrive at
Column Diameter
 Pressure Drop across internals
 Flooding

42
COLUMN INTERNALS

PROCESS REQUIREMENTS
 Primary Requirements:
 Efficiency
 Capacity

 Secondary Requirements:
 Low Pressure Drop
 Resistance to Fouling
 Resistance to Corrosion

43
COLUMN INTERNALS

TYPES
 Trays

 Random Packing

 Structured Packing

 Grids

 Packed Column Internals

44
TRAY TERMINOLOGY

45
 TRAY TERMINOLOGY

Active panel
Inlet
panel Valve

Exit weir
Man way
panel
Downcomer beam

Downcomer panel

VALVE TRAY

46
Tray Types
LIQUID VAPOR FLOW IN A TRAYED COLUMN

 Cross flow pattern

 Works well for average flow rates

 Can be designed to handle solids in the feed

47
Tray Types
LIQUID VAPOR FLOW IN A TRAYED COLUMN

 Multiple pass trays -

Double pass

 Liquid flow divided into 2 sections

 Multiple passes required when gas and liquid flow rates
become high.

48
DOWNCOMER TYPES

49
SELECTION CRITERIA

 Capacity
 Efficiency
 Turndown
 Pressure drop
 Fouling resistance
 Tradition

50
SELECTION CRITERIA

 DECISION PARAMETER
 PRESSURE DROP IMPORTANCE
 SYSTEM: FOULING OR NOT
 SYSTEM: SPRAY OR FROTH
 SURFACE TENSION

51
SELECTION CRITERIA
 Entrainment Flooding
 Excessive liquid flow rate generated by droplets

 Bed expansion Flooding

 Dispersion height equals tray spacing

 Choking
 Vapour blocking condition is induced

 Downcomer Flooding
 Gas liquid layer exceeds downcomer height

 Weeping
 gas flow unable to counterbalance

 Sealing (Dumping)
 gas liquid layer to flow over outlet weir

 Blowing
 gas bypassing occurs

52
SELECTION CRITERIA

Flooding:
 Occurs when vapor and liquid flow rates exceed
capacity of column
 Flooded tray acts as a restriction to the liquid flow
down the column
 Symptoms
 build up of liquid
 excessive pressure drop
 Two types –
 Downcomer flooding – high flow & small tray spacing
 Jet flooding – low flow & excessive liquid entrainment

53
SELCTION CRITERIA

Liquid Entrainment:
 Increases with
 hole vapor velocity
 Reduction of tray spacing
 Decreases with
 increased liquid weir load and increased
fractional perforated area
 High surface tension

54
SELECTION CRITERIA

55
SIEVE TRAYS

 easy to manufacture and inexpensive

 efficiency good at design conditions
 turndown relatively poor - tendency to weep at
lower rates
 not extremely flexible
 good in fouling applications or when solids are
present
 Corrosion problem is lesser even though holes may
get enlarged

56
 BUBBLE CAP TRAYS

 This tray has risers and fixed caps through which

vapor flows and contacts the liquid on the tray.
 This design is obsolete and is replaced by valve
trays in most of the installations.
 They are good when leakage from one zone to
another is detrimental
 Tray spacing is narrower
 Caps tend to obstruct the liquid flow

57
 VALVE TRAYS
 Valve Trays
 Moving Valves
 Fixed Valves
 Moving Valves:
 Moves up & down as per vapor load
 Movement is restricted by
 Valve legs
 External cage
 Might become loose / lost from tray deck due to corrosion /
erosion & hence requires inspection / sometimes replacement
 Fixed valve trays:
 valves are integral with the tray deck providing a fixed opening for
liquid vapor interaction.

58
VALVE TRAYS

 better turndown properties

 more flexible when the feed rate varies
 holes fitted w/ "valves” flat covers can move
up and down
 efficiency remains high as gas rate drops
 std. valve will have higher press. drop
 more likely to foul or plug

59
TRAYS WITHOUT DOWNCOMERS

 Dual flow trays

 same as sieve trays
 higher capacity but low effeciency
 poor turndown characteristics
 Baffle trays
 good for heat transfer applications
 can handle coke & solids
 Disc & Donut trays
 Ripple trays

60
CHIMNEY TRAYS
 Not Mass Transfer devices
 Used as draw trays
 Transition trays
 Protection against leakage
 Used to remove one phase of two immiscible liquids
in a column
 Sometimes used in lieu of enlarged downcomer
 additional residence time
 better liquid / vapor separation
 less chance of flooding due to overloaded
downcomer

61
ERD TRAYS
 Columns operating at maximum flow rates
 results in trays being blown off from the tower attachments
 TRAY MANWAY PANEL: Weakest point -
 strengthened by stiffner bars
 top manway clamp - increased size and change shape
 TRAY HARDWARE:
Other trays floors: Also pull out of truss line hardware
 usage of structural bottom tray clamps
 TRUSS ENDS: Failure at the ends of integral formed trusses
 Strengthened by providing Shear Clips
 TIE TRUSSES:
 Usage of bolting clips and angle clips

62
SELECTION CRITERIA
PRESSURE DROP:

IF PRESSURE DROP IS CRITICAL RANDOM OR STRUCTURED

PACKING WILL BE THE CORRECT CHOICE
OTHERWISE HIGH CAPACITY TRAY COULD BE CHOSEN

TYPICALLY PRESSURE DROP IS IMPORTANT FOR:

*
VACUUM DISTILLATION
*
POLYMERIZATION PHENOMENA
*
LOW VOLATILITY
*
THERMAL DEGRADATION

63
SELECTION CRITERIA
FOULING

THE TYPE OF FOULING AND THE MECHANISM LEADING TO

THE FOULING HAS TO BE FIRST ANALYZED

FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

* COUNTER-CURRENT TRAYS
SMALL I.D. - LIMITED OP. RANGE
* BAFFLE TRAY

LOW EFFICIENCY
* SIEVE TRAY

LIMITED TURN - DOWN

* VALVE TRAY

LIMITED TURN - DOWN

* HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAY
CASE BY CASE ANALYSIS

64
DRIVERS for Advancements

 INCREASE IN EFFICIENCY
 More intimate contact of vapour & liquid
 INCREASE IN CAPACITY
 Maximise useful pressure drop
 OPTIMISE REVAMP COST & TIME
 Minimise cutting and welding
 INCREASE IN FOULING RESISTANCE
 Increase run length

65
FUNCTIONAL ZONES

 Contacting zone
 Downflow zone
 Vapour-liquid
disengagement
zone

66
OPTIMISED TRAY

 Capacity limitation by

 Bubbling area to handle V-L

 Downcomer to disengage
vapor from liquid

67
Tray Development Timeline

 Bubble Cap Trays  High Performance Trays

1900 1950 2000

 Sieve & Valve Trays

68
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

High Performance Tray Technology:

 Active Area enhancements
 Mini valves
 The use of “push”
 Advanced downcomer technology
 Inlet area enhancements

69
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

 Active Area Enhancement using

Mini Valves & “Push”

KOCH-GLITSCH
 VG-0
 MV-1

SULZER
 MVG

Koch-Glitsch VG-0 tray

70
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

 Active Area Enhancement by

utilizing area under downcomer
KOCH GLITSCH
 NYE

 TRITON

SULZER
 MVGT

71
SUPERFRAC® Tray Technology

 IMPROVE LIQUID DISTRIBUTION (Inlet area enhancement)

Conventional Tray SUPERFRAC® Tray

72
SUPERFRAC® Tray Technology

 OPTIMUM CONTACT DEVICE

 GREATER LIQUID HANDLING CAPACITY

 MAXIMISE ACTIVE AREA AND FLOWPATH LENGTH

 IMPROVE BUBBLING ACTIVITY DISTRIBUTION

73
TRAYS

 Mechanical Advances
 Mechanical Strengthening
 Engineering features
 To reduce installation time
 To reduce column modifications for revamp jobs

74
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

 Koch-Glitsch:
 Bi-FRAC ™, Max frac, Nye ™ , SUPERFRAC® , Ultrafrac

 Sulzer:

Vortex (Downcomer) Tray™, Nutter MVG™ Tray

 Norton:
 ProvalveTM Tray, TritonTM Trays

75
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

Bi-FRAC ™
Nye ™ MAX-FRACTM Vortex (Downcomer) Tray™

Nutter MVG™ Tray Triton™

76
 TRAY v/s PACKED COLUMNS
MERITS OF TRAYED COLUMNS
 Wide Operating range than Packed Columns
 High Pressure services
 Higher L/V ratio
 Very Low liquid rates - incomplete wetting in packing
 Higher diameter
 High residence time of liquid
 Trayed columns permit easy cleaning - presence of solids
 High no. of Liquid Withdrawals
 Constructional features - limitation for smaller dia.

77
 TRAY v/s PACKED COLUMNS
MERITS OF PACKED COLUMNS
 Constructional features limitation for smaller dia. - Packing
cheaper than trays
 Low Pressure services - Pressure drop / liquid thermally
sensitive
 Low L/V ratio
 Acids and corrosive applications - Ceramic, PP, Carbon etc.
 Lower diameter
 Packed preferred for tall towers
 Liquid tendency to foam - packing preferred because of low
degree of liquid agitation
 Absorption operation
 Lower column size & higher capacity - equivalent trayed column

78
PACKINGS

 PACKING CLASSIFICATION:
 Random Packing
 Structured Packing

79
PACKINGS
 DESIREABLE PACKING CHARACTERISTICS:
 Maximise Efficiency
 Maximise the specific surface area
 Spread Surface area uniformly
 Promote uniform distribution
 Freely drain any liquid
 Maximise wetting

 Maximise Capacity
 Maximise the void space
 Minimise friction
 Ensure uniform resistance
 Permit easy disengagement

80
RANDOM PACKINGS

Evolution:
First Generation – 1907 – 1950’s
 Raschig rings
 Lessing rings
 Berl Saddles

Second Generation – 1950’s – 1970’s

 Pall rings
 Intalox Saddles

Third Generation – 1970’s onwards

 IMTP
 CMR
 Nutter rings
 Fleximax

81
RANDOM PACKING

82
STRUCTURED PACKING
Evolution:
 First generation – 1940’s
 Panapak
 Second generation – late 1950’s
 High efficiency wire mesh packings – application restricted
to Vacuum distillation
 high cost, high sensitivity to solids, low capacity
 Third Generation – late 1970’s
 Corrugated Structured Packings
 High capacity, low cost, low sensitivity to solids
retaining high efficiency
 1980’s – accelerated rise in popularity

83
STRUCTURED PACKING

MIXING CELL

LIQUID and GAS STREAMS

enter a cell, mix and form two
new streams which flow to
other mixing cells

84
FLEXIPAC HC Structured Packing

FLEXIPAC® HC™
LIQUID structured packing
enhances the liquid
STREAM drainage from one
element to the next,
resulting in reduction of
TOWER
liquid hold up at the
SHELL
interface.
The smooth transition
between the packing
elements with an
enlarged turning
radius for the vapor
flow, reduces the VAPOR
pressure drop and
STREAM
increases capacity.

85
FLEXIPAC® HCTM Structured Packing

86
GRIDS

 Wooden & Plastic Grids were in

used for decades
 First modern grid was developed
in 1960’s
by Glitsch – ‘C’
Grid
 Desirable features of Grids:
 High open area
 High capacity
 High resistance to fouling and
plugging
 Low pressure drop
 Efficiencies are considerably
lower than random packing and
structured packings
 Primarily used in
 Direct contact heat transfer
 Scrubbing & Deentraining
services

87
GRIDS

 TYPES OF GRIDS:
 Koch-Glitsch ‘C’ Grid
 Koch-Glitsch EF- 25A Grid
 Koch-Glitsch Flexigrid # 2 & # 3
 Nutter # 3 Snap – Grid
 Sulzer Mellagrid

88
PACKED COLUMN INTERNALS
 Feed Pipes
 Liquid Distributors /
Redistributors
 Liquid Collector plates
 Bed Limiters
 Support Plates

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Column Internals
Internals
• Tray Column
 Trays
 Chimney Tray
 Feed Pipes
 Gas Distributor
• Packed Column
 Packing
 Distributor / Redistributor
 Support Plate
 Hold drum plate / bed limitors
 Feed Pipe
 Gas Distributor

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Column Internals
Distributor

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PACKED COLUMN INTERNALS

 To meet process requirements,

 Packings must be suitably complemented by

internals

 Most failures can be attributed to poor liquid

and/or vapour distribution.

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LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR

 Distribution quality / drip point density

 High open area to avoid premature flooding
 Turndown flexibility
 Fouling resistance
 Flash feed distributors

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 LIQUID DISTRIBUTORS
LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR TYPES:

Gravity Distributors
• Principle used - internal head of liquid
• Pan distributor
• Trough distributor

Pressurised Distributors
• Principle used - pressure drop across the orifice
• Pipe orifice distributors
• Spray Header distributors

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