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Distillation Modeling. CHEN 4470 – Process Design Practice Dr. Mario Richard Eden Department of Chemical Engineering Auburn University Lecture No. 14 – Design of Overhead Condensers and Air-cooled HX February 26, 2013 Material Developed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Seay, University of Kentucky - Paducah.
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Distillation Modeling CHEN 4470 – Process Design Practice Dr. Mario Richard EdenDepartment of Chemical EngineeringAuburn University Lecture No. 14 – Design of Overhead Condensers and Air-cooled HX February 26, 2013 Material Developed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Seay, University of Kentucky - Paducah
Overview • Purpose of Overhead Condensers • Provide reflux flow to the top of a column and acts as an additional theoretical stage above the trays/packing • Types of Condensers • Knock-back reflux • Total condenser • Partial condenser Proper condenser design is critical to the optimum operation of a column!
Knock-Back Condenser • This design is easy to operate, but difficult to achieve precise control. • Condenser will be larger due to the bi-directional traffic on the process side. • Condenser can be in the vertical or horizontal position. • Elevation is critical. 2-Phase Flow Region • Horizontal – Process on the shell side. • Vertical – Process is on the tube side.
Partial Condenser Vapor Distillate • Used when vapor product is required, or if non-condensible gases are present in the overhead product. • Controlling the vapor stream split can be challenging. • Condenser can be in the vertical or horizontal position. • Horizontal – Process on the shell side. • Vertical – Process is on the tube side. • Elevation is not critical. Liquid Distillate
Total Condenser • Total condensers are used when no non-condensable gases are present. • As with other condensers, vertical or horizontal operation is possible. • Elevation is not critical for a total condenser. • Subcooling of the reflux can be a problem with overhead condensers, especially with vertical designs. Liquid Distillate
Condenser Design • Considerations • The overhead condenser is often a critical part of the control concept of a column • Because distillation is based on VLE principles, the overhead condenser can be used to control the temperature and pressure in the column • A later lecture will present some control concepts and strategies for overhead condensers • Condensers in series can also be used to optimize utility consumption
Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers • Typical Air-Cooled Condenser Tube Detail Design Equations: Air-cooled HX are primarily used when no other cooling utilities are available on site Note: The surface area, A, includes the area of the fins! C and m are parameters based on the size of the fin.
Air-Cooled HX Design • Design Considerations • Natural convection in turndown cases • Changing ambient air conditions • Effect of precipitation on operation of unit • Possibility of water-hammer inside tubes • Possible Control Parameters • Air flow across the tube bank • Position of louvers on top of the unit • Liquid level inside the tubes
Other Business • Next Lecture – February 28 • Integration of design and control part I • SSLW 322-340 • Individual Team Assignments • Will be assigned over next two week period • Choose one from the project description or • Email me two sentences describing what you would like to investigate and I will respond with the ”official” problem statement.