Studies of Freon mixture separation using a large-scale model of distillation column

Abstract

The operation efficiency of distillation columns with structured packing is maximal if the distribution of countercurrent vapor and liquid film flows over the column cross-section on the mass transfer surface is most uniform. Various types of structured packing are widely used in distillation columns. Formation of the temperature field maldistribution in the column cross-section is observed in large-scale distillation columns. The sizes of large-scale maldistributions on zones are commensurate with the column diameter. The aim of this work is to obtain experimental data on the separation efficiency in large-scale distillation columns and dynamics of formation of large-scale maldistributions of local parameters of vapor and liquid in a countercurrent flow over a structured packing during mixture separation. Separation of the R114/R21 freon mixture was carried out on a structured Mellapack 350.Y packing with a diameter of 0.9 m and height of 2100 mm. The experiments were carried out under conditions of complete reflux in the range of reduced vapor velocity of 0.017 < K v < 0.035 m/s. Experimental data were obtained on the efficiency of mixture separation, pressure drop over the structured packing and parameters determining the formation dynamics of the large-scale temperature field maldistribution in the column cross-section. The presented experimental data will be used for the construction and verification of a new model of mass transfer and efficiency of mixture separation in large-scale distillation packed columns.