Name : Adiel Wusqa Yunaldi

Npm : 203210332
Class : 2C/ Petroleum Engineering

Distillation Principles
Definition of distillation is a process in which a liquid or vapour mixture of two or more
substances is separated into its component fractions of desired purity, by the application and
removal of heat. the important aspects that seem to be missed from the manufacturing point of
view are that : distillation is the most common separation technique, it consumes enormous
amounts of energy, both in terms of cooling and heating requirements,and it can contribute to
more than 50% of plant operating costs. The best way to reduce operating costs of existing units,
is to improve their efficiency and operation via process optimization and control.There are many
types of distillation columns, each of which is designed to work together specifically for the type
of separation and each design is different in terms of complexity.Simple distillation methods
such as Equilibrium or Flash Distillation, are a type of distillation that occurs in one stage where
the mixed liquid is partially evaporated until it reaches equilibrium with the remaining liquid and
is separated and removed from the equipment. The concept of Steam Distillation is at
atmospheric pressure, high-boiling liquids can’t be purified by distillation, since components of
the liquid may decompose at the high temperatures required and Often the high-boiling
substances are essentially insoluble in water, so a separation at lower temperatures can be
obtained by simple steam distillation. Steam distillation is often used to separate a high-boiling
component from small amounts of nonvolatile.

Distillation columns are made up of several components, each of which is used either to
transfer heat energy or enhance materail transfer. Internal columns with the term tray are used
interchangeably, have several types of designs such as: Bubble cap trays,valve trays,and sieve
trays.There is also packaging packing, which is a passive device designed to increase the vapor-
liquid contact interface area.Furthermore, the principle of distillation is that the separation of the
components of a liquid mixture through distillation depends on the difference in the boiling point
of each component and depends on the concentration of the component, and the liquid has
different boiling point characteristics.The boiling point diagram shows the equilibrium
composition of the components in a liquid mixture varying with temperature at constant pressure.
Relative volatility is a measure of the differences in volatility between 2 components, and hence
their boiling points. It indicates how easy or difficult a particular separation will be. The relative
volatility of component ‘i’ with respect to component ‘j’. Distillation columns are designed
based on the boiling point properties of the components in the mixtures being separated. Thus the
sizes, particularly the height, of distillation columns are determined by the vapor liquid
equilibrium (VLE) data for the mixtures.

Factors affecting the distillation of column operation consist of feed conditions, internal
fluid and fluid flow conditions, tray status and weather conditions. If the steam flow conditions
are not good and can be detrimental, it will cause foaming, entertainment, weeping / dumping
and flooding. Due to the above factors affecting column operation due to steam flow conditions,
over or under, the steam flow velocity depends on the column diameter, determining the
minimum steam flow required. If the column diameter is not measured correctly, the column will
not work properly. Another factor that can lead to poor performance of the distillation column is
also related to the control system and should be considered in any design because once the
column is installed, not much can be done to improve the situation without incurring a significant
cost impact. Distillation control is a field in itself. Introduction to multicomponent distillation is
Industrially distillation is carried out with more than two components and design of multi-
component system is basically same as binary. On design calculations procedure is similar to
binary, requiring material, energy and equilibrium equations, then computations of stage-to-stage
are performed to solve the system of equations at each tray. Involves trial and error calculations
and digital computers are generally used. Another approach is the use of computer packages to
perform more accurate calculations: Aspen plus, HYSYS, Design II and PROTO.