Evaluation of Packed Distillation Columns I - Atmospheric Pressure
Abstract
The 6- and the 7-foot-packed-height laboratory glass distillation columns and the 30-foot-packed-height stainless-steel distillation columns in use at the NACA Lewis laboratory were evaluated. Four column-packing combinations of the glass columns and four column-packing combinations of the steel columns were investigated at atmospheric pressure using a test mixture of methylcyclohexane and 2,2,4- trimethylpentane. Theoretical-plate values and pressure-drop data were obtained for the column-packing combinations investigated. It was confirmed that preflooding of a column was necessary to obtain maximum separating efficiency. The glass column with wire-coil packing had theoretical-plate values ranging from about 80 to 190 over its operating range. These values were from 2 to 4 times the theoretical-plate values obtained for the other glass columns of the same length. The 30-foot-packed-height steel column with a 2-inch (diameter and stainless-steel helix packing had theoretical-plate values from 1 1/3 to 2 times greater than those obtained with the 1/4-inch Berl saddles and 2 to 3 times greater than those obtained with the 3/8-inch Raschig rings. The 1-inch-diameter column with helix packing had a maximum theoretical-plate value of over 200 at low reflux rates. The deviation of the test mixture from ideality is shown to be sufficient to have considerable effect on the calculated theoretical-plate values.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1951
- Accession Number
- ADA381969
Entities
People
- George H. Sugimura
- Thaine W. Reynolds
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration