A Brief Insight Into Column Systems And Their Various Components

Companies associated with chemical products and petrochemical processing would agree on the importance of column systems as well as its various components. If you are studying to become a chemical engineer, this would probably the first thing you would learn in your education days.

A typical column system consists of column packing, packed column and several other components that make the column internals. These systems are installed in chemical processing plants that find extensive use during both thermal as well as chemical separations.

With that information in mind, one must also have extensive knowledge about the different components that are there inside a column system. Since without these critical components, a column system will nothing be more than a series of pipes standing tall in a refinery. All of the column internals are collectively responsible for carrying out the separation processes efficiently.

Different Column Components At A Glance

The following is a brief insight into the different components of a column separation system:

Mist eliminator

This is located at the top of a typical column separation system whose sole purpose is to keep entrainment at bay, especially at the vapor outlet. It is preferably made using inert fabric or related packing material.

Liquid distributor

Its role is to disperse the incoming liquid over the cross-section of the column. The shape of the liquid distributor varies with the type of liquid that is being used within the system.

Packing material

Column packing is basically made up of borosilicate glass that provides maximum resistance to corrosive forces of the different liquids.

Support grid

The role of the support grid is to provide support to the structured packing material all the while minimizing the effects of sudden fluctuations in pressure. These are made using corrosion resistant material for enhanced durability.

Wall wipers

The role of the wall wiper is simply to deflect the liquid within the packed column from the inner walls back into the packing material that results in increased efficiency of the whole system.

Redistributors and Collectors

It is positioned just beneath the packing material that catches the run down with the purpose of either feeding the same back to the redistributors or removes it altogether from the system.

Structured Packing

The role of structured packing is to increase the efficiency of separation. It mainly consists of corrugated glass plates that are arranged in a 45 degrees inclination. These plates are fused together and are made using borosilicate glass for increased durability.

Steam intake

The role of the steam intake is simple – to keep the steam distribution uniform across the whole system. On top of that, it should be kept in mind that when steam is distributed uniformly within the system, the packing material will be used efficiently thereby bringing down the height of the system as a whole.

Outlet collector/Vortex breaker

These are located at the bottom of a column system that ensures the liquid is efficiently draining all the while ensuring that the same doesn’t find its way back into the steam inlet.

Conclusion

Column systems are an integral part of the petrochemical industry. These critical components and its various parts are crucial when one needs to get high-quality products and meet set separation requirements. It is one of the many reasons why while installing a column system; one should consult with the experts for best results. If that is not done, one can end up with a less efficient system resulting from a defective design.