Design of Experiments (Sample of each trial condition)Results & DiscussionThe goal of the packed column distillation project was to use the results from a lab simulation column to design the specification on the packing height and the size of a reboiler and condenser for a column, which already exists. An HETP vs. vapor velocity curve was generated in order to identify the point at which the lab column was flooding. The point before the curve slope increased exponentially into the flooding region is the operating point from which the vapor velocity and HETP are extracted, to be used in designing the specifications for the existing column.Important assumptions in distillation are constant molar overflow and constant relative volatility. There are three requirements at the heart of assuming constant molar overflow that were met within our analysis. (1, p. 117-118) First the column was assumed to be adiabatic. The specific heat changes are negligible compared to latent heat changes. The heat of vaporization per mold does not change with composition. In assuming constant relative volatility alpha for ethanol:isopropanol equals 1.18, with ethanol as the light key component. (2, p. 13-2)Two items of preparation needed to be accomplished before the experimentation began. The vapor liquid equilibrium diagram and the rotameter calibration chart needed to be developed. The rotameter calibration chart was used to determine the flow rate of cooling water through the condenser system in each trial, which was needed in the determination of the vapor velocity (Appendix B, p. 1) Since ethanol was the more volatile component, the VLE diagram represents ethanol. Given the assumption of constant relative volatility, the compositions were calculated for the VLE diagram through equation 2. This diagram was used in stepping off stages to determine the HETP of the lab column. An example of the VLE diagram can be observed in Appendix B p. 2.The f...
