Packed Distillation Column.

1. Working Principle and Concept.

The packing can be randomly filled with small objects such as Raschig rings
and saddles or else can be a specially design structured packing.

The packing provides a large surface area for vapor-liquid contact which
increases the columns effectiveness (efficient separation) where the
composition is split due to mass transfer.

The liquid or mixture is fed to the distillation column and distribute to the
bottom of the column (flows down) across the packing from the top of the
column.

The vapors moves counter-currently, up the column pass across this wetted
surface, where the vapor and liquid contact each other in order to perform
mass or heat transfer.
 Two types of packing :

i. Structured packing - specially designed materials, thin corrugated metal

plates or gauzes which promote channel to the

liquid and gas. This packing is expensive but very

efficient.

ii. Random packing - non-uniform packing. Cheaper but only relative

efficient. Example: Raschig rings, Berl saddle, Pall

-ring, Intalox saddles.

The performance based on the shaped packing materials which have different
surface areas and void spaces.

The packing increases the time of contact which increases the separation
efficiency and maximize vapor-liquid surface contact.

2. Separation

Differences in concentration cause the less-volatile components to transfer

from the vapor phase to the liquid phase.

The higher volatile components will transfer from liquid phase to vapor
phase.

The exiting vapor contains the most volatile components, while the liquid
product stream contains the least volatile components.
 3. Reboiler and Condenser.

Reboiler is a heat exchanger that use to provide heat to the bottom of the
distillation column.

Boil the liquid from the bottom to generate vapors which are returned to the
column to drive the distillation separation.

All the vapor driving the separation comes from the reboiler.

The reboiler receives the liquid stream from the column bottom and may
partially or completely vaporize the stream.

Steam provides the heat of vaporization.

The heat supplied to the column by the reboiler is then removed by

condenser at the top of the column. Condenser will condense the vapor
leaving the top of the column and turn them into liquid which is called as
condensate.

Without the reboiler and condenser, the distillation separation did not occur.

4. Reflux Drum.

An accumulator where the vapor and the condensate enter leaving the
condenser which the reflux take place.

Reflux is a technique involving the condensation of vapors and return the

condensate (liquid) from which it originated, the bottom of the column.

Reflux ratio is ratio between the amount of liquid (condensate) which goes
back down the column and the amount of vapor that is leaving the overhead
product stream.

5. Advantages.
 Can handle a lower pressure drop which is beneficial while operating under
vacuum and preventing column flooding.

More suitable for handling foam system, less agitation of liquid by the vapor.

Able to handle corrosive materials since packing can be made form inert
materials.

Good for thermal sensitive liquids.

Capable of achieving relatively high mass transfer efficiency.

Most cost-efficient distillation column when the diameter is less than 0.6 m.

Can reaches high efficiency due to well structured packing.

The height and type of packing can be changed to improve mass transfer without
purchasing new equipment.

The liquid hold-up is lower, important when the holdup of toxics and flammable
liquid must be kept as small as possible, less liquid entrainment.

6. Disadvantages.

Packing can break during installation or due to thermal expansion.

Not cost efficient for high liquid flow rate.

Contact efficiency are decreased when the liquid flow rate is low.

Cant be designed to handle a wider range of liquid and gas flow rate.

When temperature change is involved, packing may be damage.