Distillation – Column Operation, Control and Troubleshooting

Distillation – Column Operation, Control and Troubleshooting

INTRODUCTION

• The operation, troubleshooting of columns and it’s equipment
• An understanding distillation concepts
• Valuable practical trouble free design proven techniques commissioning, start shutdown of  operation
• The fundamental of distillation control
• To tailor your approach specific design, analysis troubleshooting problems

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 

Trainee process engineers, specialists, polymer engineers, material engineers, chemical engineers, process engineers, chemists, operators, managers and other professionals working within the Polymer industry that need to build, broaden or update their knowledge about polymer science and technology. The level of the examples and exercises can be adjusted in order to meet the experience and requirements of the participants.

COURSE OUTLINE

General Introduction

1. General Column Design

• The components of a distillation system, more than just a tower – it is a
• system of different components
• History of distillation
• Different types of distillation columns
• Differences among batch, flash, and multistage distillation process
• Relative advantages of tray and packed columns
• Steps in the process design

Distillation Equipment

1.  Tray Column Equipment

• The major design differences between tray types
• The operational limits for trays – operating window

1. Packed Column Equipment

• The different types of packing and their characteristics
• The best type of packing for a given system

3. Operating columns in fouling service
4. Operating columns in vacuum service
5. Optimizing Columns for improved operation and maintenance

Process Control

1. Distillation Column Control

• Functions of Process Control
• Characteristics of a Continuous Process
• Select appropriate composition and column pressure control schemes
• Process settings during column operation

2. Typical controlled and manipulated process variables

• Level
• Pressure
• Composition
• Temperature
• Flow

3. Controller Performance Criteria
4. Feed Forward Control of an Ideal Process

• Feedback and Feed forward Control Loops

Commissioning

3. Tower Pre Commissioning Guidelines
4. Tower Start Up Guidelines
   • Common start up problems and understand how to correct them
5. Tower Shut Down Guidelines

Troubleshooting

1. Introduction

• Evaluate operation of a packed column
• Evaluate operation of a tray column
• Use tools to diagnosis problems

2. Installation

• Common column installation mistakes
• List tasks to insure a proper installation