HETP measurement using industrial-scale batch distillation

Abstract

The height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), representing the mass transfer efficiency, allows designers to determine the packed bed height. In this study, a novel methodology was proposed to evaluate the HETP using an existing industrial-scale batch distillation when designing the height of an industrial-scale continuous distillation column. Specifically, an existing batch distillation used for the reclamation of dichlorodifluoromethane CCl2F2 (R-12 or Freon-12) from a waste refrigerant mixture was employed to determine the HETP value. Prior to the simulation, a literature survey was investigated to determine the suitable property package for simulation. The simulation results were then compared with the experimental data to determine whether REFerence fluid PROPerties can be used as a suitable package for this study. Several batch distillation runs were carried out using industrial structured packing and random packing, which are candidates for the design and optimization of a continuous distillation column in this specific separation. The batch distillation was then rigorously simulated for a comparison with the experimental data, enabling us to calculate the HETP value. The simulated results agreed well with experimental data, demonstrating that the proposed methodology is effective and easy to apply.