Question

FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION COLUMN

1. Critical components of the unit operation

a. Identify THREE critical components of the unit operation.

b. Explain why these components are important for the proper function of the unit operation.

2. Different designs of unit operation

a. With respect to the unit operation that you have selected, describe the different types of configuration or design that are available in the industry.

b. Examine the working principles for each of the configurations/ designs and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 1

1.

A. UNIT OPERATION - DISTILLATION

CRITICAL COMPONENTS ARE

1. DISTILLATION COLUMN

2. CONDENSER

3. REBOILER

2.

1. DISTILLATION COLUMN

THE SEPARATION BY DISTILLATION IS CARRIED OUT IN THE VERTICAL CYLINDER WITH COLUMN INTERNALS SUCH AS TRAYS OR PACKINGS. THE GAS AND LIQUID PHASES ARE GENERATED BY PARTIAL VAPOURISATION AND CONDENSATION OF THE FEED. THE GAS PHASE MOVES UP AND LIQUID FLOWS DOWN RESULTING THE SEPARATION OF THE FEED MIXTURE.

2. CONDENSER

THE CONDENSER CONDENSES THE VAPOUR PRODUCT/ DISTILLATE AND A PART OF THE DISTILLATE IS FED BACK TO THE TOP OF THE DISTILLATION COLUMN AS REFLUX TO ENRICH THE VAPOUR PRODUCT. CONDENSERS HELPS TO IMPROVE THE PURITY OF DISTILLATE.

3. REBOILER

REBOILERS ARE PLACED AT THE BOTTOM OF A DISTILLATION COLUMN. THE LIQUID PRODUCT OR BOTTOM PRODUCT IS BOILED USING REBOILERS TO GENERATE VAPOUR. REBOILERS HELPS TO INCREASE THE SEPARATION EFFICIENCY IN A DISTILLATION COLUMN.