Reboiler exchanger and system type selection Page 1 of 5

Reboiler Exchanger and System Type Selection

How do you select the basic reboiler system for your service?

To: asloley@distillationgroup.com
Subject: Question - reboilers.
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2001 03:54:48 -0000

Andrew,

What are some of the differences between reboiler types? How can we select a reboiler for a new column?

B., Asian Chemical Plant

To: B.
Subject: Reboilers.
Date: Wed, 18 July 2001 15:34 -0500

B.,

Reboilers generate vapor to drive fractional distillation separation. In classical fractional distillation services all
the vapor to drive the separation comes from the reboiler. (Alternate systems may use externally generated
vapor, feed preheat, or inter-reboiler systems). Proper reboiler operation is vital to effective distillation.

The most critical element of reboiler design is the selection of the proper type of reboiler for a service. Most
reboilers are shell-and-tube exchangers. Specific services may use other specialized designs including stab-ins,
plate-fins, spiral-plate and others. The purpose here is not to go into design details of each specific type but
rather to examine the selection criteria that favor one configuration over another. Since shell-and-tubes are so
common, most of the discussion focuses on them but some factors favoring other designs are covered as well.

Many factors influence reboiler type selection. In the end, all these factors reduce to economics. Every plant will
weight the trade-off between these factors differently. No one-size fits all selection exists. Major factors include:

 Plot space available

 Total duty required
 Fraction of tower liquid traffic vaporized
 Fouling tendency
 Temperature approach available
 Temperature approach required

All these affect the configuration desired. The major configuration selections include:

 Forced versus natural circulation

 Tube side versus shell side vaporization
 Once-through versus process recirculation
 Single-shell versus multiple-shell systems
 Vertical versus horizontal orientation
 Stab-in bundles
 Other types

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Figures 1 to 4 show common types of reboilers. Figure 1 shows two horizontal, shell-side boiling
configurations. Figure 1A is a recirculating thermosyphon. Figure 2A is a once-through thermosyphon. Figure 2
shows vertical configurations. Figure 2C is a tube-side boiling configuration with once through flow and Figure
2D is a shell side boiling recirculating thermosyphon. Figure 3E shows a kettle reboiler and Figure 3F shows a
forced-circulation reboiler. Figure 4G illustrates a stab-in bundle and figure 4H shows a forced-circulation, fired
heater. Table 1 includes the major factors in making an exchanger system choice.

Figure 1
Horizontal, shell-side boiling reboilers

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Figure 2
Vertical reboilers

Figure 3
Flooded bundle reboilers

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Figure 4
Stab-in and fired heater reboilers

Factor Favored types Disfavored types

Low bottoms product fraction Recirculating
Once-through
compared to boilup Kettle
High bottoms product fraction
Once-through Recirculating
compared to boilup
Low relative volatility systems Recirculating
High relative volatility systems Once-through Recirculating
Large exchanger size or high
Horizontal Vertical
duty requirements
Vertical
Small exchangers
Stab-in
Leaks hazardous or difficult to
Stab-in
deal with
Exotic materials Stab-in
Spiral-plate
Tight temperature approach Shell-and-tube
Plate-fin
Kettle
Solids present Plate-fin
Spiral-plate
Kettle
Thermally unstable products Recirculating (no baffle)
Once through
Tight plot plan Vertical Horizontal
Ample plot plan Horizontal
High temperatures Fired heaters

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Forced circulation
High heat fluxes Natural circulation
Flooded bundles

Other systems in addition to the ones shown here are also possible. Of course, every system's final choice will
depend upon specific design details involved. Many systems have specific characteristics that favor designs that
might not be immediately apparent.

Andrew Sloley
DGI
Images have been sized for full screen display on an 800x600 monitor.

This page updated 18 July 2001.

© 2001 Andrew W. Sloley. All rights reserved.

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