Distillation Column Specifications

The column specifications were found using extensive analysis and are
summarized in the following table. To find these specifications, many variables were
found and calculated. The liquid density and vapor density were found in AlcoDens a
program found in the internet that reported the densities to be 59.124lbm/ft3 and
0.5438lbm/ft3, respectively. Using the sizing notes found Peters & Timmerhaus2, p. 779-
781, the velocity was estimated to be 3.1ft/s from the following equation:

ρl - ρv
Vnf = 0.3 = 3.1137 ft / s = 0.9490 m / s
ρv

Assuming 60% of flooding, Vn = 0.6Vnf = 1.8682ft/s =0.5694. The volumetric flow rate
was calculated to be 137.184 m3/hr which is equivalent to 2.2864ft3/s. The area of the
column is 4.015454 m2 , as calculated from the following equation:
.
V 2.2864
An = = = 4.015454 m 2
v .5694

The downcomer is assumed to occupy 10% of the cross sectional area of the
column. Thus, the column area becomes 4.015454 m2 /.9= 4.46161m2, which is
associated with a downcomer area of 0.4015454 m. The column consists of 20
trays,.which was computed from McCabe-theile Method, shown below.
 Graphical Representation

0.9

0.8

0.7 Assumed
Equilibrium
0.6 Curve
Series1

0.5
y

Line for
Ymax
0.4
RL
0.3
SL
0.2
plate in RS
0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Also, according to the sizing notes, 5 feet on the bottom and 5 feet on the top are
added to the total column height. Thus, the column height is found to be 19 m from the
following expression: 20*.8m/tray + 1.5+1.5= 19 m.
The column diameter is found by using the following equation for the area of a circle:
. 4( 4.46161 )
D= = 2.3834 m
π

The duties of the condenser and the reboiler were obtained from from energy balances
done previously. Qr= 25,901,591.28 BTU /day and Qc= 12, 937,234.57 BTU /day

An effective active area of a distillation tray for an area calculated at 60%

flooding is 70% of the tray area, not including the downcomer. Therefore, the active area
for the distillation trays is
0.7Ac = 0.7*4.46161m2 = 3.23127 m2
A sieve tray is an inexpensive, efficient means of achieving separation, and is
comparable in effectiveness to bubble cap and valve trays at low flooding levels and hole
areas of less than 14% of the total active area. Because separation increases as hole size
decreases, provided flow is not restricted, the holes were assumed to be 2% of the total
active area. This gives a hole diameter of 4.4 inches according to the following
calculations.
0.02*3.23127 m2= 0.0646254ft2 per hole
0.0646254ft2 = 1/4πd2
d = (0.0646254ft2 *4/π)1/2 = 0.286851m

Table 1. Distillation Column Specifications

Tray Spacing .8 m
Type of Trays Valve
Flooding 60%
Velocity 0.9490 m / s
Column Area 4.46161m2
Column Diameter 2.3834 m
Column Height 19 m
Area for Downcomers 0.4015454 m, 10% of Column Area
Pressure Drop per Tray 0
Condenser Duty - 12, 937,234.57 BTU /day
Reboiler Duty 25,901,591.28 BTU /day

ref

http://www.cbu.edu/~rprice/lectures/distill7.html