d by using Equation (13). Once the feed line and the top operating line have been plotted, the bottom operating line can be found. The bottom operating line runs from the bottoms composition on the x = y line to the point where the top operating line intersects the feed line. After all three lines are known, stages can be stepped off starting with the bottoms composition.When the total number of stages is known, the height of packing can be determined using the HETP from the experimental column. The height of packing is then found by using Equation (1).ApparatusThe column consists of four main sections: the condenser, packing, reboiler, and controls. The condenser system consists of a glass pipe connected to the top of the packing section. The heat transfer medium for the condenser is cooling water, which flow through a spiral glass tube running vertically down the body of the condenser shell. The cooling water inlet enters the condenser shell at the base where the condenser and the packing section meet. The condenser is essentially and extension of the shell of the packing section. Therefore the vapor is free to flow from the packing section up into the condenser section where the vapor is condensed.There is a small are between the condenser and the packing section where the top sample is collected. After the vapor is condensed, it flows down the sides of the condenser onto a lip at the bottom of the condenser section. This lip overflows into a magnetically actuated funnel that will distribute the liquid either down into the packing section or into a side draw-off pipe, which leads to the top sampler port. During normal operation the actuated funnel is turned off and the liquid is solely allowed to flow down in the packing section. However, during the sample period, the magnetic is initiated and the funnel pulses between the packing section and the sample port. The packing section is 3.31 ft in height and is filled with 0...
