3 replies to this topic

[Helena_Ali]

Hi..I am also to design a packed column and I am wondering if it is advisable that I may use the HETP method to calculate the height of the column..

[djack77494]

Hi..I am also to design a packed column and I am wondering if it is advisable that I may use the HETP method to calculate the height of the column..

I'm not sure what alternative you might consider. Certainly if you are modelling a process involving mass transfer across a packed column, you will have theoretical stages in your simulator and you must convert that to packing height in your design. At some point you will be converting Theoretical Plates to the packing Height Equivalent.
Doug

[Zauberberg]

Helena,

Total HETP required for separation efficiency that you need to obtain by fractionating feed in the tower, is the actual height of structured (or random) packing that corresponds to the exact number of theoretical plates you calculated. There are no further details of your application, but in general - for the estimation of tower height - you need to take into account the following items:

- Number of packings
- Support grids below each packing
- Hold-down grids above packing
- Liquid distributors and redistributors
- Adequate height of tower sump and provision of sufficient space for reboiler return (if it is a reboiled column)
- Provision of sufficient space at all tower locations for maintenance reasons (collector trays, liquid/vapor distributors, packings etc.)

This is the minimum input data required for proper column design.

[Helena_Ali]

thank you for your help on this topic Zauberberg...