One question per day: Methanol and purification technology forum version, 20191029

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Working principle of the thermosyphon reboiler: A thermosyphon reboiler is a heat exchanger that uses the thermal convection of a liquid to heat a cold fluid. When the liquid is heated in the reboiler, a vapor-liquid mixture is formed; its density is lower than that of the liquid in the inlet pipe of the reboiler. This density difference creates a driving force for the flow of the liquid. After the liquid vaporizes in the reboiler, both the vapor and the liquid return to the tower together. This cyclic process is known as thermal siphonage. The heating phase inside the reboiler adjusts the amount of heat supplied by changing the size of the heat exchange area. Increasing the condensate discharge volume increases the heat exchange area and thus the heating capacity; reducing the condensate volume decreases the heat exchange area and accordingly reduces the heating capacity.