Factors That Can Affect The Overall Efficiency Of A Separation Column

Separation or otherwise popularly known as distillation columns finds extensive application in a lot of different industrial sectors like:

• Chemical processing sector
• Petrochemical sector
• Oil refining plants
• Gas processing plants
• Industrial complexes associated with organic synthesis
• Pharmaceutical sector and
• Related industrial complexes that are associated one way or the other with the separation of homogeneous liquid mixtures.

The overall efficiency of a separation column primarily depends on the type of column packing present inside the same.

Businesses pertaining to the sectors mentioned in the previous sections prefer separation columns that come with a high-efficiency factor for mass transfer. The reason is simple –

A highly efficient separation column with quality assured column packing procured from renowned companies like FinePac, can help a business to:

• Bring down its overhead costs
• Reduce its demand/overall consumption of electricity
• Improve the overall quality of its products and
• Increase the overall yield of its finished products.

That stated, there are also tons of factors that can alter the overall efficiency of a separation column.

Some of them are as follows:

The overall composition of the feed can alter the efficiency factor of the column

The overall composition of the liquid mixture that needs to undergo the separation process can also alter the overall efficiency of the separation column.

On top of that, the state of the operating lines can also alter the composition of the feed mixture. This can elongate the process since the mixture would now need to go through a few extra stages of separation in order to get the desired results.

The overall condition of column packing and related internals

A separation column is packed with column internals like liquid distributors, liquid collectors, support plates, mist eliminators, and the likes. The collective efficiency factor of this column internals has a collective effect on the separation column’s overall efficiency factor as well.

In simple words, if the efficiency of packed column internals goes down, the overall efficiency of the separation column will take a nosedive as well!

How can the efficiency factor of column internals go down?

Well, in case they are not appropriately maintained. Periodic replacement of column internals is necessary since these are susceptible to damage over time. The extent of the damage to column internals will depend on the overall chemical and physical properties of the liquids that are being processed in the separation column.

To be on the safer side, businesses should choose column internals manufactured by renowned companies like FinePac. This company has been in this business for a while, and its products are on par with international standards.

The overall diameter of the column itself can work against it!

The efficiency of a separation column is not only dependent on the overall condition of its packed column internals, as mentioned above, but also on the overall rate of flow of vapor inside the column.

The flow of vapor inside the separation column is directly dependent on the diameter of the column. In simple words, if the diameter of the column is not on par with recommended specifications, then the separation column’s efficiency factor will come down drastically!

Design changes to the separation column should be planned thoroughly before implementing them in real-world scenarios. It is the only way a business can stay away from bearing excessive financial repercussions.

Headquartered in Pune, Finepac commenced its operations in 1993. The unique location has offered us attract employees of high caliber and strong work ethic, and at the same time utilise the vast wealth of resources the city of Pune has to offer.