Post by SchiI just want to know why are there no horizontal distillation
columns ?
Any papers related to horizontal distillation column. Can someone
suggest me some books and papers related to the topic and design.
Distillation is the separation of low boiling components (lights) from
higher boiling point components (heavies) in one or more equilibrium stages.
In most stages, the vapor from the tray below condenses to a liquid, and
using the heat from the vapor reevaporates the lighter components of the
liquid. The excess condensate from each tray is then returned to the tray
below it.
Gravity is generally considered a rather convenient way to force the heavier
liquids to return to the prior stages, while allowing vapors to move onto
the next stage. It is entirely possible to do this without gravity. Using
a centrifugal setup, one could put the bottoms on the outside rim, and allow
vapor to move towards the center of the centrifuge. Also, in some cases,
distillation towers would be too tall, so they are split, with pumps used to
move the heavies from the bottom of the second tower, and return it to the
top of the first tower.
There are separation methods which can employ horizontal stages, but gravity
is a very convenient force to have around and has proven to be quite
reliable to date. Its low cost, predictability, and lack of maintenance
requirements are very difficult to beat.
You might look up books on equilibrium stage processes, distillation tower
design, chemical engineering unit operations, and thermodynamics. All these
are fairly available. If you really want to get into design of distillation
towers, I would suggest enrolling in a chemical engineering curriculum. In
about 4 short years, you'll be ready to start designing columns. One
alternative is to find a nearby bootlegger, and after you convice him that
you are neither a revenuer nor the competition, have him show you how its
done.
Michael