Distillation 

is defined as a process in which a liquid or vapour mixture of two or more

substances is separated into its component fractions of desired purity, by the application and
removal of heat. 

Distillation column is a tall metal cylinder internally fitted with perforated horizontal plates
used to promote separation of miscible liquids ascending in the cylinder as vapor. They also
function to saparate air into its various components, principally oxygen and nitrogen. For
separating air in distillation columns these are taken into their liquid form rather than gaseous
state.

Distillation columns are designed based on the boiling point properties of the components in
the mixtures being separated. Thus the sizes, particularly the height, of distillation columns
are determined by the vapour liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for the mixtures.

Types of Distillation Column

Batch Distillation Column

The column is charged with a 'batch' and then the distillation process is carried out. When the desired task is achieved, a next batch
of feed is introduced. A condenser to turns the vapors back to a liquid so they can be easily collected. Batch distillation comprises of
tall column that is desirable to improve the separation. Finally, by using different collection vessels, the original mixture can be
separated into fractions. Batch distillation is labor intensive.

Continuous Distillation Column

Continuous columns process a continuous feed stream. No interruptions occur unless there is a problem with the column or
surrounding process units. They are capable of handling high throughputs. A continuous column operates under steady conditions
where the composition at a given location does not change over time. The composition only depends upon the position in the
column and so additional product steams can be easily tapped at different heights and each tray will have a different composition of
compounds.

The two major types of continuous columns are:

 Tray Column - Such columns consist of physically separated pools of liquid which are in intimate contact with a vapor.

 Packed Column - Such columns are filled with a saddle shaped packing. This packing provides a lot of surface area for
the vapor to condense upon and assures that the liquid and vapor are in intimate contact.

Continuous column can also be classifed into the following:

 Binary column - feed contains only two components.

 Multi-component column - feed contains more than two components.

 Multi-product column - column has more than two product streams.

 Extractive distillation - where the extra feed appears in the bottom product stream.

 Azeotropic distillation - where the extra feed appears at the top product stream.

Factors Affecting Distillation Column Operation

 Feed Conditions - The state of feed mixture and feed composition affects the operation line and hence the number of
stages required for separation.
 Reflux Condition - As the reflux ratio is increased, the gradient of operating line for the rectification section moves
towards a maximum value and when the reflux ratio is decreased the operating line moves towards equilibrium.

 Vapor Flow Conditions - Adverse vapor flow conditions may cause foaming, weeping and flooding.

 Column Diameter - With unfavorable column size the final separation will not be achieved.

 State of Trays and Packings - The number of tray is determined by the efficiency of the plate. Tray efficiencies are
affected by fouling and corrosion.

 Weather Conditions - Changing weather conditions can greatly affect column operation

 Distillation tower and the maintenance.

 Because of a different character then the mixture is distilled in a different way too.
Therefore include some types of distillation are: Azeotropic distillation, dry distillation,
extractive distillation, distillation of frozen (freeze distillation), distillation fractionation,
distillation ua (steam distillation) and vacuum distillation.

Based on the process, the distillation can also be divided into batch distillation
(Distillation batch) and continuous distillation (continuous distillation). It is called a batch
distillation, if done once the process, the materials included in the equipment, processed
and then taken the results (distillate and residual). Called continuous distillation if the
process is going terusmenerus.Ada flow and the flow of material into the material
keluar.Rangkaian distillation equipment widely used in industry is the type of tray and
packed-tower tower.

Distillation equipment maintenance.

Distillation column must be treated to clean and can optimally use, carried out as follows:

1. The influence of heat on the unit column distillation column condenser and is limited to
re pendidih (reboiler), because, in general, the column is isolated, so the loss of heat
along the column is relatively small
2. For feedback in the form of liquid at bubble point (q = 1) is saturated liquid, heat is
given to re pendidih the same as those issued in a condenser. For the tangible feedback
in addition to saturated liquid vapor needs, heating is calculated by the balance of heat
(enthalpy balance).

Adsorption or separation process penjerapan material is a mixture of gases or liquids,

materials that will be separated drawn by a solid surface that absorbs (adsorbent).
Usually small particles of absorbent material is placed into a carpet of fixed and fluid then
flows through the fixed bed of solid water until it is close to saturation and the desired
separation can not last longer. Most substances are pengadsorpsi adsorbent. The
materials are porous, and the adsorption took place mainly at the pore walls.

The separation occurs because of differences in seed molecules or due to differences in

polarity causes some molecules were attached to the surface more closely than the other
molecules. For example, industrial waste washing diadsorpsi batik cloth with color
substances using coconut shell charcoal activated. Electroplating wastes containing
nickel, nickel diadsorpsi heavy metals with the activated zeolite.
Operation of adsorption column

Adsorption column equipped with:

 - Bak bait container also functions as a tub overflow reservoir, flow regulator tub, bath
effluent reservoir, water pump, flowmeter.
- Before the first operated device filled with aquades column to just above the layer of
adsorbent. This is intended to avoid air trapped in the column that can interfere with the
flow rate.
- Equipment operated by passing the raw water sample is gravity (downflow) continuous
feedback from the tub using the reservoir to the tub pump speed control runoff. Bak
regulator runoff rate is used to obtain pressure and a constant runoff rate.
- After the sink rate of runoff flow regulator missed the feedback to get the flowmeter
reading secar visual.Flowmeter runoff rate is equipped with 3 pieces regulator tap. In
accordance with Figure tap a used to manage the size of the rate of runoff, tap b serves
as the entrance to the feed flow adsorption column. B faucets will be closed at the time of
the flowmeter calibration condition c faucets open. After the runoff flow rate is stable,
closed ddan faucet faucet c b opened. Then the bait will flow into the adsorption column.
- Once operational tool with time and a specific runoff rate is the raw water sampling at
each outlet, which then conducted an analysis
- Repeated for different operating conditions with variations in the rate of runoff, influen
concentration variations, and variations in the size of the media.
 Because of a different character then the mixture is distilled in a different way too.
Therefore include some types of distillation are: Azeotropic distillation, dry distillation,
extractive distillation, distillation of frozen (freeze distillation), distillation fractionation,
distillation ua (steam distillation) and vacuum distillation.

 Distillation column equipment represents a significant percentage of the petroleum

refining, petrochemical, and chemical industry fixed-capital investment. Proper
operation of the distillation column internal and peripheral equipment depends on the
design, fabrication, and installation of the internal equipment. When a column is shut
down during a maintenance turnaround or to correct a problem, column internals
require quick inspection to determine equipment repair requirements. Additionally,
inspection is the last opportunity to find design, mechanical, and installation errors in
revamped equipment.

 Inspection is not an exact science that is amenable to rote checklist procedures.

Distillation systems processing the same feedstock often have unique features.
Inspection is more an art practiced by experienced field personnel such as Norm
Lieberman. It is generally a very hot and dirty business that many engineers do not
like to perform. As computerization takes over many aspects of distillation system
design and operation, the tools required to be a competent field inspector
increasingly reside with a small number of practitioners. There are few hard-and-fast
rules because each distillation column system is unique. Nevertheless, practical
application examples of inspection philosophy, guidelines, checklists, and case
studies for some equipment are included.