1.

Column Design Calculation

1.1 Acetone Column (T-202)

Data from HYSYS:

Parameters Inlet Outlet

Stream 9 16-A 11-A 12
Vapor 0 1 0 0
Pressure (psia) 23.64 17.4 17.4 20.31
Temperature (°F) 70.48 106.83 106.83 196.07
Mass Flow (lb/hr) 6168.53 0.6426 4131.46 2035.31
Mass Density (lb/ft3) 52.04 0.0862 47.52 54.79
Viscosity (cP) 0.5598 1.132e-0.002 0.2572 0.3538
Theoretical Number of
66 stages
Stages
Actual Number of Stages 66 (From Turton)
Actual Feed Tray 1st and 33rd tray 

Tower Efficiency:

Theoretical No . of Stages
Tower Efficiency= x 100
Actual No . of Stages
66
Tower Efficiency= x 100
66
Tower Efficiency=100 %
Internal Design of Tower

The diameter of the column, T-202, was calculated using the Aspen HYSYS. Adjustments were done on
the diameter of the tower and tray spacing. The diameter of the tower was increased from 1.25 m to
1.56 m or 5.12 ft and tray spacing from 0.4572 m to 0.6096 m. Such adjustments were done to avoid
flooding.
The photos above show the internal designs of the tower and the summary of the dimensions of the
internals of the column.

1. Vapor Volumetric Flowrate

WV
QV =
3 6 0 0 ( ρV )

0.6426
QV =
3 6 0 0 ( 0.0862 )

ft 3 m3
QV =0. 002 ≈5.6634 x 10−5
s s

2. Liquid Volumetric Flowrate

WL
Q L=
3 6 0 0❑ L
2035.31
Q L=
3 6 0 0(54.79)

ft 3 −4 m
3
Q L=0.01 ≈ 2.8317 x 10
s s
3. Holdup Volume

* Chemical Engineering Progress: Table 2. Liquid holdup and surge times

D. 1 Feed to Another Column, TH = 5 min

Trained Personnel & Standard Instrument Factor = 1.2

T H =5 min ( 1.2 )=6 minutes

V H =T H ( Q L )

( )
3
ft
V H =( 6 min . ) 0.62
min

V H =3.72 ft 3

4. Surge Volume

* Chemical Engineering Progress: Table 2. Liquid holdup and surge times

D. 1 Feed to Another Column, TS = 2 min

Trained Personnel & Standard Instrument Factor = 1.2

T S=2min ( 1.2 )=2.4 minutes

V S =T S ( QL )

(
V S =( 2.4 min . ) 0.62
ft 3
min )
3
V S =1.50 ft

5. Low Liquid Level Height

* Obtain low liquid level height, H LLL, from Table 3. Low Liquid Level Height

D=5.12 ft, <300 psia, vertical LLL

H LLL=15∈¿ 1.25 ft ≈ 381mm

6. Height from Low Liquid Level to Normal Liquid Level

 VH
H H=
( π4 )( D ) 2

3.72 ft 3
H H=
( π4 )( 5.12 ft ) 2

H H =0.18 ft ≈ 54.90 mm

7. Height from Normal Liquid Level to High Liquid Level

VS
HS=
( π4 ) ( D )
2

1.50 ft 3
HS=
( π4 ) (5.12 ft ) 2

H S =0.07 ft ≈ 21.40 mm

8. Total Bottom Space

Total Bottom Space=H LLL + H H + H S

Total Bottom Space=1.25 ft+ 0.18 ft +0.07 ft

Total Bottom Space=1.50 ft ≈ 457.2mm
Since H LLL+ H H + H S < 5 ft , we will use 5 ft as the height from the bottom to the lowest plate.

Tower Length

Length of Tower =( No . of Stages−∂Condenser −∂ Reboiler ) x Tray Spacing+ Bottom Space+Vapor Space (5−10 f
Length of Tower =( 66−1 ) x ( 2 ft )+5 ft +5 ft
Length of Tower =140 ft ≈ 43 m
9. Total Surface Area

3584
A S=πDL=π ( 5.12 ) ( 140 )= π ft 2
5
 2 2 2
A H =1.09 D =1.09 ( 5.12 ) =28.573696 ft
TSA=2 A H + A S

3584
TSA=2 ( 28.573696 )+ π
5

TSA=2309.04 ft 2
10. Weight of the Vessel

W =490
ft(
lb 0.1947492835
3
12 )
ft ( 2309.04 ft 2 )

W =18362.09lb=8329 kg ≈ 8400 kg

11. Thickness

For Shell:

PD
t S= +t
2 SE−1.2 P C

P = 3.4 barg = 49.32642487 psig = 64.03 psi

MOC: SA 51670 Carbon Steel

E = 0.85 (spot examined)

1
t C= ∈¿
16
S, Maximum Allowable Stress = 17500 psi (ASME Pressure Vessel Code Maximum

Allowable Stress Value)

D = 1.56 m = 61.42 in

t S= ( 64.03 psi ) ¿ ¿

t S=0.1950346566∈≈5 mm

For Head:

Head Type: 2:1 Elliptical Head

PD
t H= +t
2 SE−0.2 P C
 t H = ( 64.03 psi ) ¿ ¿

t H =0.1947492835∈≈ 5 mm

12. Nozzle Sizing

Inlet Nozzle Diameter:

4 Q L 12
( )
π x 60
dN ≥
√ ρL

( ) =0.003663 ft ≅ 0.043956∈¿
1
4 x 0.0329 2
π x 60
dN ≥
√ 52.04
1
∴ Use Schedule 4
8

Outlet Nozzle Diameter:

Liquid Outlet Data: v = 1 – 4 m/s

Use:
√ 4 QL
vπ

√ √
−4 −4
4 x 2.8317 x 10 4 x 2.8317 x 10
<d L <
4 xπ 1x π
0.009494 m<d L <0.01899 m

0.3738∈¿ d L <0.7476∈¿

1
∴ Use ' ' Schedule 40
2
Vapor Outlet Data: v = 15 -30 m/s

√ √
−5 −5
4 x 5.6634 x 10 4 x 5.6634 x 10
<d L <
30 x π 15 x π
0.00155 m<d L <0.002193 m
 0.06102∈¿ d L < 0.08634∈¿

For vapor outlet,

2
ρ v v =3750 Pa

v=
√ 3750
ρv

√
3750
v=
kg
1.380 3
m
m
v=52.1286
s

dv =
√ √
4 QV
vπ
=
4 x 5.6634 x 10−5
52.1286 x π
d v =0.001176 m≅ 0.04630∈¿

1
∴ Use ' ' Schedule 40
8