Distillation columns : Principles , Operation & Design

Distillation columns of various designs and applications are encountered nowadays throughout petroleum refining, petrochemical, chemical and process industries.

This course is designed to provide you with a complete understanding of construction details and functioning of distilling columns. This understanding is a prerequisite for successful operation of your plant.

The course features 5 major items :

1- VAPOR LIQUID EQUILIBRIA : (thermodynamics of pure components and complex mixtures)

• Volatility of pure components : boiling point, vapor pressure

• Concept of Sensible and Latent Heat

• Behavior of mixtures in distillation : dew and bubble points, vaporization curves, total/partial condensation and vaporization, liquid-vapor separation and distribution of components according to their volatility

• Relation between temperature, pressure and composition of distillate and residue

• ...

2- INDUSTRIAL DISTILLATION PRACTICES :

• Operating parameters of an industrial distillation column (Pressure, Temperature, Flow rates, Reflux Ratio...)

• Separating power : number of stages, liquid and vapor traffics, feed inlet location

• Column pressure : pressure control and pressure profile along the column

• Internal flow rates profiles, concentration and temperature profiles, concentration peaks

• Material balance of the column : concepts of cut point, separation quality and fractionation capability

• Heat balance : condenser and reboiler duties, Reflux and Boil-up ratios and industrial configurations

• Instrumentation and process control loops around the column

• ...

3- INDUSTRIAL DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT :

• Trays : technology, performances, flexibility

• Packings (structured or random) : technology, performances, flexibility

• Different types of contacting systems for the active area : bubble caps, fixed or floating valves

• Liquid or vapor distributors, collectors and redistributors

• Troubles such as flooding, weeping, fouling...

• ...

4- ASSESSING DISTILLING COLUMN PERFORMANCE USING ASPEN PLUS (A CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SIMULATOR)

• Base case

• Effect of temperature

• Effect of pressure

• Effect of feed stage location

• Effect of reflux ratio

• ...

5- SOLVED PROBLEMS

• Ethylene / Ethane fractionator

• Reboiler operation

• Flash separator

• Distilling column overhead operations

• Depropanizer case study

• ...

Many images, cross sectional views, graphs and animations can be found throughout, increasing the value of this course as an educational tool and industrial reference for personnel involved in distilling operations.

So this course is not only of use to practicing engineers and operators to whom a knowledge of the distillation process is of crucial importance in efficient operation of distilling columns but also intended as a study guide for undergraduates in process, chemical, petrochemical & petroleum engineering disciplines.

So with no further ado, check out the free preview videos and the curriculum of the course and we look forward to seeing you in the first section.

Hope to see you there !

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