Demonstration of distillation column:

Distillation column/ Fractionation column is equipment which separates the components from
a mixture on the basis of difference in boiling point. It is consist of many parts which are
demonstrated as follow:

1) Boiler
2) Distillation column.
3) Condenser
4) Reflux Drum
5) Pump
6) Sensors
7) Control console

Boiler:
Boiler is located at the bottom of the fractionation/Distillation column, the heater is covered in
a case which contains mixture and the heater is controlled from the console and power is
provided by rotating the knob. The mixture in the boiler is heated and converted in the vapors,
which are sent to the fractionating column.
Distillation column:
The distillation column is a long column made of glass which consists of number of plates called
distillation plate. The vapors of the mixture from the bottom boiler enter into the distillation
column and passes through the distillation plates. When the vapor reaches up to certain plate
the less volatile and high boiling point liquids are condensed and come down through the tubes
installed within the plates. The condensed liquid which comes down are called down comers.
The vapor of high temperature enters in to the column and takes the less volatile liquid with
them self. In this way the separation of two liquids are take place. This separation mainly occurs
on the basis of difference in the boiling point of the fluids.

Condenser:
The more volatile vapors having less boiling point when are separated from the mixture is come
out of the distillation column and enters into the condenser, where they are condensed into
liquid with help of cool water circulating with the flow rate of 3 L/min.

Reflux Drum:
The condensed liquid is sent to a drum called reflux drum, from where the product is obtained
while some of the portion from the product is sent back into the distillation column. This
process occurs automatically. We set a specific time for reflux and product, during which
getting product is stopped and the reflux starts. After that interval the reflux stream is blocked
automatically and the product stream starts.

 Reflux:

 It is the ratio between the amount of reflux that goes back down the distillation column and
the amount of reflux that is collected in the receiver (distillate). The higher the reflux ratio, the
more vapor/liquid contact can occur in the distillation column. So higher reflux ratios usually
mean higher purity of the distillate. It also means that the collection rate for the distillate will
be slower. If the reflux is exceed its limits then flooding occurs.

 Flooding:

Flooding is the abnormal condition in the distillation column in which the separation process
stops and liquid accumulates on the plates causing low quality product.

 Weeping:

Weeping is when liquid flows downward through the holes in a distillation tray. Normally vapor
rises up through the holes and contacts the liquid on the tray. If the vapor rate is too low the
liquid may be able to drop to the next stage through the holes, resulting in less than optimal
vapor/liquid contact (and therefore less than optimal separation).

Pump:
A peristaltic pump is installed which send the reflux into the distillation column, which has the
range of 0-0.25 L/min.

Sensors:
Sensors are installed in each flow stream entering and leaving the condenser and of the feed,
product system and reboiler temperatures.

Control console:
 Monitoring and selectable display of at least 14 system temperatures, including those of
the liquid on each tray and the reboiler, across the condenser, and of the feed and
product streams.
 Monitoring, display an manual adjustment of:
1. The electrical power to the reboiler heater.
2. The reflux ratio setting.
3. The feed rate setting.
University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar

Department of Chemical Engineering

Assignment: 2

Demonstration of the Distillation column

From:
Tariq Tahir

Registration:
12PWCHE0777

To:
Engr. Unsia Habib