Studies of Freon mixture separation using a large-scale model of distillation column

The operation efficiency of distillation columns with structured packing is maximal if the distribution of countercurrent vapor and liquid film flows over the column cross-section on the mass transfer surface is most uniform. Various types of structured packing are widely used in distillation columns. Formation of the temperature field maldistribution in the column cross-section is observed in large-scale distillation columns. The sizes of large-scale maldistributions on zones are commensurate with the column diameter. The aim of this work is to obtain experimental data on the separation efficiency in large-scale distillation columns and dynamics of formation of large-scale maldistributions of local parameters of vapor and liquid in a countercurrent flow over a structured packing during mixture separation. Separation of the R114/R21 freon mixture was carried out on a structured Mellapack 350.Y packing with a diameter of 0.9 m and height of 2100 mm. The experiments were carried out under conditions of complete reflux in the range of reduced vapor velocity of 0.017 < K v < 0.035 m/s. Experimental data were obtained on the efficiency of mixture separation, pressure drop over the structured packing and parameters determining the formation dynamics of the large-scale temperature field maldistribution in the column cross-section. The presented experimental data will be used for the construction and verification of a new model of mass transfer and efficiency of mixture separation in large-scale distillation packed columns.