No replies to this topic

[Blue12345]

The distillation system is operating at a higher pressure then it used to. We used to have a top pressure of 18 inhg and a bottom pressure at 26 inhg. Now the column top pressure is at 22.5 inhg and the bottom pressure is at 28.5 inhg. When this problem started it was after a shutdown when new trays were put into the stripping section of the column. The old trays only took up about 25% of the space compared to the new trays which take up about 50% of the stripping section. The other thing is steam usage has increased as well to keep alcohol out of the bottoms product. I understand that the increase in steam flow to the system would affect pressure and I also understand that the new trays are bigger and that more energy would be needed to keep the proper vapor flow in the column. I have looked at the condensers, vacuum pumps, reflux ratio, and reboilers but haven't really come up with anything. What other things should I look at? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks