What are the reasons for an increase in the pressure in a distillation tower? How to handle it?
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What conditions can cause the tower pressure in a distillation column to increase? What should be done if the tower pressure is too high?
The column pressure is controlled by the top pressure control valve. By high tower pressure, do you mean high pressure at the top of the tower or high pressure at the bottom?
The question is too general. A tower? Which tower? It is recommended that if you have such questions, it’s best to first understand the job procedures along with the principles of the device’s operation; only then should you discuss any issues that remain unclear. This is not a fixed Q&A like 1+2=3; it is an overall production process made up of many factors. The principles of the process should be mastered as early as possible, to be honest.
There are many reasons, but it is necessary to consider the actual conditions and processes of this device in order to make a judgment.
It’s just an ordinary distillation column. What do distillation columns have? There’s liquid reflux at the top of the column and gas reflux at the bottom; but in general, they’re all similar. The column pressure usually refers to the pressure at the top of the column. What can you know from the pressure at the bottom of the column?
So it can’t be said that the pressure at the top of my tower can only be adjusted using control valves, right?
The common reasons are as follows: 1. High reflow temperature. 2. Low reflux ratio. 3. Excessive heat load at the tower bottom. 4. The liquid level at the bottom of the tower is too low. 5. Non-condensable gas at the top of the tower cannot be discharged (pipeline blockage, faulty control valve). 6. Equipment-related issues (leak in the reboiler at the bottom of the tower)
There are too many influencing factors; you can start by considering the following aspects. Bottom of tower temperature, reflux rate of the column, feed rate to the column, feed temperature, changes in feed composition, problems with the tray system, whether there are issues with the pressure control valves, any faults in the instrument readings, and changes in the temperature of the condensate at the top of the column.
In a typical distillation column, the key factors include heat load, reflux volume and reflux temperature, feed rate, as well as control valves. If a reaction section is added to the column, it is necessary to take into account that the heat generated by the reaction will also affect the column pressure
The performance table for the amount obtainable at the tower top is poor; there is excessive steam and backflow, resulting in an overly high load
The feed rate is too high, the top condenser is clogged, the pressure relief lines are blocked, and there are many other issues…