I’d like to ask the experts: is there any device that can directly allocate the steam volume at the top of a distillation tower?
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The company’s distillation unit consists of 2 distillation towers, which are needed to separate three types of substances: A, B, and C. The vapor at the top of Tower 1 (a mixture of A and B) is fully condensed in a condenser; thereafter, depending on the \"recovery ratio,\" part of it is returned to the top of Tower 1 while the other part is sent to Tower 2 for further distillation (to separate A and B). I am considering directly dividing the vapor phase at the top of one tower into two parts using a device: one part is condensed and returned to the first tower, while the other part enters the second tower as a vapor phase. This should help save some energy consumption. Initially, the idea was to install a degasifier directly on top of the tower, but any modification comes at a cost; every penny saved is valuable ； Later, it was considered to use the existing condenser and catcher, and adjust the flow rate of the condensate water in order to achieve separate condensation; however, the lag in control was a concern, which increased the difficulty for the operators ； Therefore, consider whether there are any devices or systems that can directly allocate the steam at the top of the tower: part of it can be completely condensed and returned to the tower as reflux, while another part can be sent directly to the second tower. I think such a device must exist; I hope the experts in the group will kindly let me know. Thank you!
The idea is good, but if components A and B at the top of the tower can be separated directly, is the tower still needed? Generally, the separation of three components is achieved using 2 towers or 1 tower combined with other separation methods such as crystallization. There are also some more advanced technologies available; for example, membrane separation devices can be used to separate two components, but they are not widely used.
It must be complicated to separate 3 components using a tower! Sideline production is quite common. Also, what I mean is to divide the gas phase at the top of the tower into two parts, rather than directly separating A from B.
I misunderstood; you want to take a portion of the vapor at the top of the tower and send it to the condenser to facilitate reflux, while sending another portion directly to the next tower for distillation. In this case, I recommend using a three-way butterfly valve for control. Gas flow meters should be installed on both vapor pipelines, and these flow meters will be used to adjust the three-way valve in order to control the distribution of flow. But there is also a problem here: the feed to the next tower is in gas phase, so its location must be carefully considered.