Tip of the Week
Stop by each week for a useful tip from the engineers at Koch-Glitsch.
Tip of the Week graphic

June 2010
Accuracy of plant data (part I)
by Neil Sandford
 
Obtaining a good set of data is a very important part of evaluating the operation of a distillation column.
 
The following list ranks, in order of preference, the reliability of plant data:
  • Compositions
  • Temperature data
  • Feed and product flow rates
 
The full article contains comments on using the data.
 
 
Select Accuracy of plant data (part II) to read Part II of this article.


 
The importance of vapor distribution plates 
by Sam L. Mitchell
 
The installation of a new mist eliminator in an existing vessel can often be a complicated endeavor.  Whether horizontally or vertically oriented, vessels tend to be sized as small as possible, leaving very little room for a mist eliminator that wasn’t expected.  Aside from the size-reducing capabilities of high capacity mist eliminator designs, the most important tool for making a mist eliminator work in tight quarters is to include a vapor distribution plate.
 
 
 
 
 
Improving column performance:
replace existing tower packing with
INTALOX® ULTRA™ random packing
by Patrick Quotson
 
Packed tower performance can be improved by replacing existing packing with a more efficient packing to gain separation or a lower pressure drop packing to gain capacity.  The problem is that normally you have to sacrifice one for the other.  The newly developed INTALOX ULTRA random packing lets you avoid this problem by bridging the gap between capacity and efficiency.
 
 
 
 

Importance of correct reflux temperature
for process simulations
by Erika Penciakova

Mass-transfer internals are designed based on the column vapor-liquid traffic developed from process simulations. 
It is critical that both the condenser type and the reflux temperature are properly specified to ascertain the correct internal vapor-liquid traffic is being used to specify the mass transfer equipment.  If neglected, the column internal traffic used for design will be incorrect, which could result in an underperforming column.

READ MORE >

 
Consider start-up, shut-down, turndown
and other non-stable operating conditions
when designing mass transfer equipment
by Dennis Schmude
 
Designers often become so focused on design and normal operating conditions that they fail to consider equipment performance at non-stable conditions such as start-up, shut-down and turndown.  Problems that occur during these situations can be eliminated with careful equipment design consideration that includes non-stable operating conditions.
 
 
 
 
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