Questions regarding distillation problems
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Dear experts: What is an appropriate preheating temperature for the methanol-water solution feed before continuous distillation? Should it be at the same temperature as the temperatures above and below the feed plate where the feed enters?
Generally speaking, with the energy consumption of the tower remaining constant, heat should be introduced as much as possible from the bottom of the tower, while cooling should be applied as much as possible at the top of the tower, in order to maximize the reflux of both the liquid phase and the vapor phase generated within the tower. In industry, supersaturated or even vapor-phase feed is sometimes used to reduce heating at the bottom of the tower; this is particularly advantageous when the temperature at the bottom of the tower is high and materials tend to coking. In the absence of special requirements, a saturated feed is sufficient.
Thank you, but our company’s chief engineer doesn’t understand why we insist on using supersaturated feed – methanol and water can be separated very easily, right?