Polymeric self‐sealing distillation and extractor trays

Abstract

AbstractA suitable polymeric material offers several advantages over metals and alloys normally used for self‐sealing or friction‐fit trays in distillation and extraction columns, by reducing the capital cost and maintenance charges and by improving the efficiency of small diameter columns. The hydrophobic nature of polymeric materials also increases the plate efficiency of an extractor when the plate is wetted by a continuous organic phase which passes to a dispersed water phase.The plate efficiency and performance of a small column are often reduced by leakage or by passing of vapor and liquor at the periphery of the trays. This problem can be overcome by using self‐sealing polymeric trays arranged in cartridges which are assembled and inserted into the column shell as a unit. The flexible nature of polymers ensures a tight fit between the trays and the shell of the column, notwithstanding normal out‐of‐roundness of the shell.