Distillation/Absorption Columns & Internals

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Distillation/Absortion Columns & Internals:

Distillation and absorption are often the key operation to achieve a required separation. CESCO can offer experience with the following types of processes:

• batch distillation
• continuous distillation
• azeotropic distillation
• extractive distillation
• high vacuum distillation
• pressure distillation
• steam stripping
• absorption (VOC, NH3)

Distillation Column with Reboiler

Using computer simulations, and where necessary pilot plant testing, CESCO can help you find the most economic solution. A whole range of products are evaluated when a distillation system is built. We can also offer proprietary column internals of high performance.

90" Diameter x 70 foot OAH Distillation Column

Structured Packing

The structured packing CESCO offers has a different structure and a unique performance. Unlike other packings, its surface is subdivided into a multitude of small lamellas. All available grades attain excellent performance characteristics over a wide range of loading.

Due to its open structure, its characteristic liquid plug flow, and its extremely low ratio of specific surface area to separation efficiency, this packing has proven to be much less sensitive to fouling than any other type of packing. In fouling applications, it provides a reliable, higher capacity and separation performance for longer periods of time. Furthermore, the cost of cleaning or replacing the packing, as well as the inconvenience generated by these operations are significantly reduced.

Different Styles Available

High capacity packing:
• 150 m2/m3
• up to 2.2 NTSM
• very high capacity

Standard packing:
• 230 m2/m3
• up to 4.0 NTSM
• wide range of application

High efficiency packing:
• 350 m2/m3
• up to 5.5 NTSM

Ultra high efficiency packing:
• 450 m2/m3
• up to 7.5 NTSM

The structured packings that CESCO offers have the unique feature of maintaining their excellent separation performance up to close to their capacity limit. Existing columns, including columns with conventional structured packings, can therefore be successfully revamped, for both an increase in capacity and performance.

A new structure has been developed by systematically varying the geometric parameters of the already existing packing types. The new type of packing offers:

• up to 30% lower pressure drop
• up to 15% higher capacity
• remaining high efficiency

Structured Packing for Miniplant Applications

CESCO offers structured packing that have a proven track record in miniplants. The value for separation efficiency, pressure drop, and hold-up in columns with 30 and 50 mm diameter corresponds, to a large extent, to those in industrial size columns. Advantages in comparison to other lab scale corrugated sheet packings are:

• higher voidage, significantly lower hold-up
• only one third of the pressure drop, with the same separation performance
• identical packing for laboratory, pilot and industrial scale

• this packing is the choice for feasibility tests with high separation requirements

Applications include:

• separation of organic mixtures in all industries (pharmaceutical, fine chemical, bulk chemical, food)
• high vacuum distillation

Experience level of the miniplant structured packing that CESCO offers:

• diameters from 30 to 5,000 mm
• available in any metallic material
• revamps of trayed and packed columns
• over 1,200 columns installed world-wide

Slit Trays

The slit trays that CESCO offers are a high efficiency tray with centric symmetry, featuring pairs of slits to allow vapor flow through the tray. This tray is used extensively for the distillation of aqueous systems, when due to the high surface tensions, a metallic packing is not advantageous. It is also used for multi-purpose distillation systems.

The main characteristics of this slit tray are:

• extremely low tray spacing 150 to 250 mm (200 mm standard)
• high efficiency: 3-4 NTSM
• self supporting structure allows easy installation into empty column shell without support rings
• large turndown up to 1:4
• suitable for 2 liquid phase systems
• allows any number of feed points or side draws

Applications include:

• separation of aqueous mixtures in the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industry
• multi-purpose solvent recovery
• high pressure distillation

Experience:

• diameters from 100 to 3,000 mm
• up to 175 trays in one column
• over 1,000 columns installed world-wide