Distillation structure of dimethyl ether plant
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For new dimethyl ether plants, regarding the distillation section, the available tray types for this process include packed trays and sieve trays. Please share your views on how to choose a scientific and economical distillation process and equipment for the new 100,000 tons/year dimethyl ether plant.
Based on ASPEN’s calculations for a capacity of 100,000 tons, both the dimethyl ether distillation column and the methanol column would need to have a diameter of over 1 meter. Therefore, from an industrial perspective, it is better to use plate columns; after all, the cost of installing packing that is several dozen meters high is quite high. I’m not sure whether modern dimethyl ether plants with a capacity of over 100,000 tons use packing.
Some packed towers were designed by the Southwest Research Institute
As far as I know, plate towers are rarely used. In fact, dimethyl ether has a high relative volatility compared to methanol and water, making it easy to separate. Distillation columns in plants with a capacity of less than 50,000 tons are usually quite tall, as this is necessary in order to obtain both fuel-grade and aerosol-grade products simultaneously. If it’s purely fuel-grade, it’s much easier. As far as I know, Lu Tianhua solved the problem with the 11-meter Baur ring.
Personally, I think packed beds are better, of course on the condition that a suitable type of regular packing is chosen.
Regular packing – a combination with tray plates might be useful. What do you think? Please leave a comment: handshake