Running Batch Distillation in a Column with a Middle Vessel

The practical feasibility of batch distillation in a column with a middle vessel is analyzed. Experimental runs have been carried out in a pilot plant scale continuous distillation column, whose setup has been arranged in such a way as to allow batch operations to be carried out. Practical guidelines are provided for the startup and the operating sequence of the batch column. The implementation of different control configurations is discussed, and the effect of some operating parameters on column performance is shown by experiments.