Distillation-Tray

Selection and Design

Design the trays for a distillation column separating dichlorobenzene (DCB from a high-boiling reaction product. Include design for sieve trays and valve trays, and discuss the application of each. The product is temperature-sensitive, so sump pressure should be held at about 100 mmHg (3.9 inHg or 0.13 bar). The separation requires 20 actual trays. Column Conditions in the top section are as follows: Vapor Flow Rate = 69,000 lb/h (31,300 kg/h) Liquid Flow Rate = 20,100 lb/h (9120 kg/h) Liquid Viscosity = 0.35 cP (3.5 x 10-4 Pa.s) Liquid Density = 76.7 lb/ft3 (1230 kg/m3) Surface Tension of DCB Liquid = 16.5 dyn/cm (1.65 x 10-4 N/cm) Temperature (average for top section) = 200oF (366 K) Pressure (average for top section) = 50 mmHg (6.67 kPa) Molecular Weight of DCB = 147 Note: Pressure drop for the vapor stream is assumed to be 3 mmHg (0.4 kPa) per tray; therefore, the pressure at the top of the column is set at 40 mmHg (5.3 kPa), given that the sump pressure is to be no greater than 100 mmHg (13.3 kPa).

NOTE: The pressure for the question should be changed for each person. Use the last two digits of your student number added to the pressure. For example: the pressure is 100 mmHg and your student ID number is: 1006358331. Add 31 to the 100 mmHg. Therefore the pressure becomes 131 mmHg.