Distillation Flashcards
What is distillation?
A process where a mixture of two or more components is separated into products, distillate and bottoms, of compositions different from the feed.
What are the types of distillation operations?
- Batch
- Continuous/Rectification
What are the types of feed you can use in distillation?
- Binary
- Multicomponent
What is extractive distillation?
An extra feed appears in the bottom product stream.
What is azeotropic distillation?
An extra feed appears in the top product stream.
What is reactive distillation?
Catalytic reaction occurs along with the separation.
What are the main components of a distillation column?
- Vertical shell
- Column internals
- Reboiler
- Condenser
- Overhead accumulator/Reflux drum
- Feed tray (optional)
What does a reboiler do?
It provides the necessary heat for vaporisation.
What does a condenser do?
It provides the necessary cooling to condense the vapour leaving the top of the column.
What does an overhead accumulator/reflux drum do?
Holds the condensed vapour for the liquid reflux/recycle.
What does a feed tray do?
Divides the column into a top (enriching or rectifying) section and a bottom (stripping) section.
What is a total condenser and why is it used?
All of the distillate is pumped back into the condenser as reflux. This means the design can have a minimum number of trays and a minimum packing height.
