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The amount of heat entering the column from the reboiler and with the feed must equal the amount heat removed by the overhead condenser and with the products. The heat entering a distillation column is a crucial operating parameter, addition of excess or insufficient heat to the column can lead to foaming, weeping, entrainment, or flooding.
Diagram of a Batch Rectifier. The simplest and most frequently used batch distillation configuration is the batch rectifier, including the alembic and pot still.The batch rectifier consists of a pot (or reboiler), rectifying column, a condenser, some means of splitting off a portion of the condensed vapour (distillate) as reflux, and one or more receivers.
Here is a similar formula from the 67th edition of the CRC handbook. Note that the form of this formula as given is a fit to the Clausius–Clapeyron equation, which is a good theoretical starting point for calculating saturation vapor pressures:
The calculations involved in the design of petroleum fractionation columns require in the usual practice the use of numerable charts, tables, and complex empirical equations. In recent years, however, a considerable amount of work has been done to develop efficient and reliable computer-aided design procedures for fractional distillation.
The column improves separation by providing a larger surface area for the vapor and condensate to come into contact. This helps it remain at equilibrium for as long as possible. The column can even consist of small subsystems ('trays' or 'dishes') which all contain an enriched, boiling liquid mixture, all with their own vapor–liquid equilibrium.
Phase diagram (left) and process flow diagram (right) of an apparatus for the azeotropic distillation with "material separation agent". In this case the phase diagram includes a zone where components are not miscible, so following the condensation of the azeotrope, it is possible to separate the liquid components through decantation.
However, rectified spirit is typically distilled in continuous multi-column stills at 96–96.5% ABV and diluted as necessary. Ethanol is a commonly used medical alcohol — spiritus fortis is a medical term for ethanol solutions with 95% ABV.
Schematics of a plate column with bubble cap trays. The feed to the column can be liquid, gas or gas and liquid at equilibrium. Inside the column there are always two phases: one gas phase and one liquid phase. The liquid phase flows downward through the column via gravity, [1] while the gas phase flows upward.