Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus | OperatiX – 06
The Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus OperatiX – 06 performs continuous rectification to separate ethanol and water mixtures. This Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus works with interchangeable columns, including sieve tray, bubble cap tray, packed, valve tray, and structured packing types. It supports vacuum mode, adjustable reflux ratio, and feed preheating via heat exchanger. Optional DAQ software enables measurement and calculation of results.
The Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus OperatiX – 06 uses rectification, a fundamental thermal separation technique, to separate homogeneous liquid mixtures in the industrial sector. This Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus works with interchangeable columns, including sieve tray, bubble cap tray, packed, valve tray, and structured packing types. It supports feed at three different heights with heat exchanger preheating.
Product Overview
Rectification is a fundamental thermal separation technique used in the industrial sector to separate homogeneous liquid mixtures, such as when separating crude oil. Rectification is an energy-efficient distillation method that is carried out in a series of steps.
The sieve tray column, the bubble cap tray column, the packed column, the valve tray column, and structured packing column are all interchangeable with this unit. Three different heights can be used to feed the columns with the separating liquid combination. With the use of a heat exchanger, the feed can be preheated. For this device, a liquid mixture of ethanol and water is recommended.
On the way to the bottom of the column, where it is electrically heated to boiling, the fed liquid mixture partially evaporates. The resulting mixed vapour then ascends the column. The component with the lower boiling point (ethanol) is present in larger concentration in the combined vapour. It emerges from the column’s peak and undergoes condenser condensation. The remainder of this condensate is sent back into the column as reflux, with some of it being collected in a tank. It engages in a significant heat and material exchange with the rising mixed vapour as it descends. As a result of this exchange, the liquid phase gains more water and the vapour phase gains more ethanol. Liquid phase descends to bottom and can be collected in tanks.
Optionally sensor data can be transferred to the computer for processing if desired. Additionally, the optional software enables recording and saving data in PC via USB/LAN. The comprehensive course materials outline the foundations and offer a step-by-step overview of the experiments for this Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus.
Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus OperatiX – 06, Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Process | Continuous rectification with different types of columns available as optional |
| Column Configuration | Interchangeable columns |
| Vacuum Mode | Possible using vacuum pump |
| Evaporator | Electrically heated, infinitely varied power |
| Tanks | For feed, bottom, and top product |
| Bottom Product Heat Exchange | Cooling/heating due to feed preheating or cooling water |
| Top Product Condensing | Condenser and phase separation tank |
| Tank Materials | All tanks made of glass and stainless steel |
| Reflux Ratio Adjustment | Using valves |
| Temperature Sensors | Different sensors per column |
| Pressure Gauge | Measures the vacuum in the system |
Technical Data
Feed Pump
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max. flow rate | 400mL/min |
| Speed | Variable |
Vacuum Pump
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Final vacuum | 200mbar |
Tanks
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Feed | approx. 10L |
| Boiler | approx. 7L |
| Top Product tank | approx. 5L |
| Bottom Product tank | approx. 5L |
| Phase separation tank | approx. 0.5L |
Condenser/Heat Exchanger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Top product condenser material | Glass |
| Top product condenser type | Shell and coiled |
| Pre heating condenser material | Stainless Steel |
| Pre heating condenser type | Concentric tube |
Rotameter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Top Product condenser | 1~7 lpm |
Measuring Ranges
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | -100~400°C |
| Reflux ratio | 0~100% |
| Heating power | 0~2kW |
| Column differential pressure | 0~250mbar |
| Cooling water flow rate | 1~7lpm |
| System pressure gauge | -1~1bar |
Key Features
- Process Type: continuous rectification, using ethanol and water as the recommended mixture
- Column Configuration: interchangeable columns, feedable at three different heights
- Evaporator: electrically heated, infinitely varied power
- Vacuum Mode: possible using vacuum pump, final vacuum 200mbar
- Reflux Ratio Control: adjustable via valves, range 0~100%
- Bottom Product Heat Exchange: cooling/heating via feed preheating or cooling water
- Tank Materials: all tanks made of glass and stainless steel
- Feed Preheating: heat exchanger enabled, part of this Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus
- Software: optional DAQ software for measurement and calculation
Experiments
- Investigation and comparison of different columns: in continuous mode, in vacuum mode, with different reflux ratios, with changed inlet heights of reflux
- Determination of concentration profiles
- Column temperature control with a concentration on practice: reflux ratio serves as the column’s top actuator; heating efficiency as a column bottom actuator
- Determination of temperature profiles
- Pressure loss over the column
Construction and Design
The Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus OperatiX – 06 is built around an electrically heated evaporator with infinitely varied power. A feed pump delivers flow at a maximum rate of 400mL/min at variable speed. A feed tank of approximately 10L supplies the boiler, which holds approximately 7L. A top product tank and a bottom product tank, each approximately 5L, collect the separated liquids. A phase separation tank holds approximately 0.5L. A shell and coiled glass condenser handles the top product, while a concentric tube, stainless steel condenser manages preheating. A rotameter measures top product condenser flow at 1 to 7lpm. Reflux ratio is adjusted using valves. A vacuum pump enables vacuum mode operation, reaching a final vacuum of 200mbar. Different temperature sensors are fitted per column, and a pressure gauge measures the vacuum in the system. Columns can be fed at three different heights with the separating liquid combination.
Software
Software OperatiX – 06 (optional). DAQ software specially designed in National Instrument™, LABVIEW™ environment to measure and calculate the results of the apparatus. The software is optional; a set of electronic sensors is included when the software is used. The software can be run in any Windows™ environment.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 Experimental unit
- 1 Set of hoses
- 1 Set of accessories (tools, seals)
- 1 Instruction manual
Optional Accessories
- Sieve tray column, OperatiX -07
- Packed Column, OperatiX -15
- Bubble cap tray column,OperatiX -08
- Valve tray column, OperatiX -14
- Structured Packing Column, OperatiX -09
Q: What is the Continuous Distillation Column Apparatus OperatiX – 06 used for?
A: It is used to separate homogeneous liquid mixtures, such as ethanol and water, through continuous rectification, similar to industrial applications like crude oil separation.
Q: What column types are interchangeable with this apparatus?
A: The sieve tray column, bubble cap tray column, packed column, valve tray column, and structured packing column are all interchangeable with this unit.
Q: Can the system operate under vacuum?
A: Yes, vacuum mode is possible using a vacuum pump, reaching a final vacuum of 200mbar.
Q: How does column temperature control work?
A: Reflux ratio serves as the column’s top actuator, while heating efficiency serves as the column bottom actuator.
Q: Is data acquisition software available with this system?
A: Yes, Software OperatiX – 06 is available as an optional add-on, designed in National Instrument™ LABVIEW™ environment, and can run in any Windows™ environment.
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