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Periodic cycling of distillation columns using a new tray design
Author(s) -
Szonyi L.,
Furzer I. A.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690311013
Subject(s) - tray , plate column , distillation , sieve (category theory) , mechanics , fractionating column , mixing (physics) , flow (mathematics) , range (aeronautics) , chemistry , thermodynamics , materials science , chromatography , mechanical engineering , engineering , mathematics , composite material , physics , combinatorics , quantum mechanics
Computer simulations of periodically cycled columns predicted improvements in column performance of greater than 200% for systems with nonlinear equilibrium curves. Experiments distilling methanol‐water mixtures have verified those predictions for periodic cycling with a single plate. The extension of the theory to multiple‐plate columns fails in usual distillation apparatus due to liquid mixing during the liquid flow period. To overcome this problem a new tray design consisting of a sieve plate and inclined surfaces has introduced an effective liquid time delay. Although the predicted efficiencies of 200% were not realized due to vapor movement hindering the tray action, a wide range of operating conditions provided good overall column efficiencies of 140%.