1. Team 3: Robert Clifford, Patricia Firmin, Gen Liang, Rooma Raza
Distillation Theory
Team 3: Robert Clifford, Patricia Firmin,
Gen Liang, Rooma Raza

2. The Basics of Distillation

3. Different Parts of Distillation
Condenser
Overhead Vapor
Overhead Product
Reflux
Rectifying Section
Stripping Section
Reboiler
Bottoms Product

4. Possible Feed Conditions

5. McCabe-Thiele Graphical Method

6. Minimum Reflux Ratio

7. Optimal Feed Stage

8. Shortcut Method
Fenske equation-minimum number of trays and split fraction

9. Tray Number and Reflux Ratio

10. Stage Efficiency Range from 41% to 88%
For close-boiling mixtures, liquid viscosity is low, resulting in high stage efficiency

11. Distillation Column Sizing
Calculate column Diameter by Internal flowrates and design column at 80% of linear flooding velocity.
If D> 3m = Parallel columns

12. Types of Distillation Columns
Packed Bed Columns
Used more often for absorption and
distillation of vapor-liquid mixtures.
The liquid flows downward through the packing and
the vapor flows upward through the column.
Advantages
Cost efficient
Lower pressure drop
Good for thermally sensitive liquids
Disadvantages
Packing can break during installation

13. Types of Distillation Columns
Tray Column
The number of trays or stages is dependent
Advantages
Cost efficient
Can handle high liquid flow rates
Disadvantages
Higher pressure drops than packed columns
Foaming can occur due to agitation

14. Advanced Distillation
Reactive Distillation
Extractive Distillation
Vacuum Distillation

15. References
Seader, J. D., Ernest J. Henley, and D. Keith. Roper. Separation Process Principles: Chemical and Biochemical Operations. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, Print.
"ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT." Distillation Columns. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb ationColumns/DistillationColumns.html.
Biegler, L., Grossmann, I., Westerberg , A., 1997, Systematic Methods of Chemical Process Design, Prentice Hall.
Bravo, Jose L. and James K. Fair. "Distillation Columns." Chemical Engineering Progress     January 1990: