Kurdistan Region Government (KRG)

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Erbil polytechnical university
Erbil polytechnical engineering college
Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department

Distillation Tower

Prepared by: Nabaz Mohammed Hamadameen

Supervised: Dr. Hindren Ali Sabir
Academic year: 2023-2024
Introduction
Distillation is one of the most important and most commonly used methods of separation and is based on the
distribution of components between two liquid and gas phases. In fact, distillation is one of the most common ways
of separating materials from one another due to the difference in boiling point. Distillation is a physical process for
the separation of objects with boiling temperature. Mass transfer is the key to a successful distillation.
Operation Process
• Crude oil from the desalter is heated in a train of heat exchangers up to a temperature of 250°C – 260°C, further
by a tube-still heater (also known as a pipe-still furnace) to a temperature of 350°C– 360°C.
• Hot crude is then flashed into a distillation column, which is a tall, multi plated cylindrical vessel that separates
the petroleum fractions according to the differences in volatility. The tower is divided into three zones (enriching
or rectification) at the top, and (stripping) at the bottom section and flashing zone on feeding tray.
• The feed flows down the column where it is collected in the reboiler or use a steam to supply the heat to the
tower. Heat (usually as steam) is supplied to the reboiler to generate vapors. The ratio of vapor / liquid is very
important to achieve tower heat balance.
• Vapor moves up the column, exits the top, and is cooled in a condenser. The condensed liquid is stored in a
holding vessel known as the reflux drum. Some of this liquid is recycled back to the top of the column and this
is called the reflux. The condensed liquid that is removed from the system is known as the distillate or top
product
Products and Boiling point
The main components of distillation tower are:
1. A vertical shell where separation of liquid components is done.
2. Column internals e.g. trays / plates which are used to enhance component separations.
3. A reboiler to provide the necessary vaporization for the distillation process.
4. A condenser to cool and condense the vapor leaving the top of the column.
5. A reflux drum to hold the condensed vapor from the top of the column so that liquid
(reflux) can be recycled back to the column.
Trays
Each tray has 2 conduits called down-comers: one on each side. Liquid falls by gravity through the down-comers
from one tray to the tray below. A weir ensures there is always some liquid (holdup) on the tray and is designed
such that the holdup is at a suitable height, e.g. such that the bubble caps are covered by liquid. Vapors flows up
the column and is forced to pass through the liquid via the openings on each tray. The area allowed for the passage
of vapors on each tray is called the active tray area. Trays are designed to maximize vapor-liquid contact by
considering the liquid distribution and vapor distribution on the tray. This is because better vapor-liquid contact
means better separation at each tray, translating to better column performance. Less trays will be required to
achieve the same degree of separation. Attendant benefits include less energy usage and lower construction costs.
Types of trays in fractionation tower
1. Bubble cap
A riser is fitted over each hole, and a cap covers the riser. The cap is mounted with a space
to allow vapors to rise through the chimney and be directed downward by the cap, finally
discharging through slots in the cap, and bubbling through the liquid on the tray.
2. Valve trays
Perforations are covered by caps lifted by vapor, which creates a flow area and directs the
vapors horizontally into the liquid.
3. Sieve trays
Sieve trays are simply metal plates with holes in them. Vapors passes straight upward through
the liquid on the plate. The arrangement, number and size of the holes are design parameters.
Selection of Tray Type

1. Cost
2. Capacity
3. Operating range
4. Efficiency
5. Pressure drop
THANKS