Tower, Distillation

Name:
Tower, Distillation
Detailed information:
A metal cylinder from 6 inches to 20 ft in diameter located between the boiler and the condenser in distillation units. The vapors rise through the tower, some of the liquid condensate flowing back down through the tower (reflux). Horizontal plates at intervals of 2 ft are used to achieve contact between countercurrent liquid and the vapor stream. Vapor passes through the liquid on the plate through several apertures, each covered by a cap, an arrangement called a bubble cap plate. Various types of packings are used in smaller columns, e.g., metal chains, tubes, glass beads, Raschig rings, etc.See HETP (2).Possibly supplanting distillation towers in the future is a circular metal drum that rotates at 1800 rpm and contains conventional packing materials. The centrifugal force separates the liquid and vapor components as they pass through the drum. This novel distillation technique has been developed by ICI in England and is called Higee, i.e., high gravity.