Efficiencies of trays in cryogenic distillation columns

✍ Scribed by M.W. Biddulph

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 379 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0011-2275
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-2275(86)90191-8

✦ Synopsis

This Paper considers the behaviour of the distillation trays in conventional use in cryogenic air separation plants. An earlier study showed that the trays should operate at higher efficiencies than plant experience would indicate. This conclusion was based on the assumption of uniform liquid flow across the trays. In practice, stagnant zones can occur which reduce the efficiency. A study of a small hole-size tray, rectangular in shape, providing uniform flow has confirmed the predictions of the theoretical model by producing high efficiencies. These results, together with those from the earlier study, provide an indication of the benefits of improving the flow behaviour of air separation distillation trays.