Distillation column Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Distillation column - Assignment Example According to McCabe and Harriott (2000, p.204), this can be particularly achieved through pressure props to help reduce the temperature gradients between the bottom and the top column of the depropanizer column. Another important operational design consideration that should be observed during the design of the distillation column is its capacity. To allow room for the fluctuations of both the vapour and liquid rates in the depropanizer column, its capacity should be enough as this not only improves its operational efficiency but also the safety of the entire distillation column. Lastly, it is also important to consider the requirements such as cleaning, drainage and corrosion during the design of the column. This is particularly because system fluids that pass through the depropanizer column are occasionally affected by peculiarities such as coking as well as the presence of suspended particles and therefore taking into account such considerations in the design will help minimize operational and maintenance costs. During the commissioning of the Distillation plant operations, a series of checks as well as counterchecks should be performed to ensure that the entire chemical plant does not have any design errors and is suitable for the distillation operations. During this stage, various systems and equipment such as the valves, coolant and the control loops of the distillation column are first made operational using safe liquids such as water to help test their safety and efficiency (Speight, 1999, p.123). Leak testing should also be carried out to ensure that when the actual chemicals are introduced, the plant will perform as originally intended. There are a number of procedures that should be observed to avoid the occurrence of anomalies and problems that may arise during the start-up of the distillation column. During the initialization, one of the first procedures that are necessary before any action is taken at the tower is to set up all the