5 replies to this topic

[confusedstudent]

hello everyone

would it be absolutely absurd to suggest a distillation column could possibly have a height of 20m? (sieve plated) producing more than 150,000tonnes/yr

[Art Montemayor]

It depends. To separate a very large stream using distillation, you need a very large distillation column.

What, specifically, is confusing you, confused?

[confusedstudent]

It depends. To separate a very large stream using distillation, you need a very large distillation column.

What, specifically, is confusing you, confused?

well lets say a column with a feed of say 13000kg/h benzene and toluene being separated

[pavanayi]

Well, you have given too much information. The 'specific' information has confused us all

Edited by pavanayi, 22 March 2011 - 10:56 AM.

[Zauberberg]

20 meters height for a distillation column is absolutely feasible. One of the towers (Amine regenerator) I had a chance to commission recently was almost 40 meters high. Some Crude unit columns are even taller, depending on throughput and process design.

[pavanayi]

Confusedstudent,
If you have not understood my earlier subtle point, that is my fault. I should have been more explicit.
You have not provided any more data in your second post than your first post.
For anyone to give any credible advice to your query, it is not possible with what data you have given.

If you would, describe what exact reason prompted you to write the question in the forum, along with:
How you reached a conclusion of 20m tower height?
What are the assumptions you have taken to reach that figure if any?
What are your vapour and liquid flow rates inside the column?
What is the tower diameter?
What are the number of trays?
What is the tray spacing you assumed?

The list may be long, so add whatever you think is appropriate to your query.

For clarification purpose, there are distillation columns out there in industry that are well more than 20m. I personally have operated towers totalling 100m (85m tower height + 15 m base).
As Art said, It depends.

Edited by pavanayi, 22 March 2011 - 04:21 PM.