Construction of an open steam distillation column

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.0 &nbsp; &nbsp; INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>Distillation is a separating technique in which two liquids are separated at essentially the same temperature and pressure. &nbsp;It is also the term used to describe the operation where the vaporization of a liquid mixture yields a vapor phase containing more than one constituents and it is desired to recover one or more of this constituents in a nearly pure state.</p><p>It would probably be beneficial to define the terms that describe the process and related properties. &nbsp;Let us begin by describing the process by which a substance transformed from the condensed phase to the gas phase. &nbsp;For liquid, this process is called VAPORIZATION and for a solid it is called SUBMIATIN, both processes requires heat. &nbsp;All substances regardless whether they are liquids or solids are characterized by a vapor pressure. &nbsp;The vapor pressure of a pure substance is the pressure exerted by the substance against the external pressure which is usually &nbsp;atmospheric pressure. Vapor pressure is a measure of the tendency to escape. &nbsp;When the vapor pressure of a liquid substance reaches the external pressure the substance is observed to Boil. &nbsp;If the external pressure is atmospheric pressure, the temperature at which a pure substance boils is called the NORMAL BOILING POINT. &nbsp;Solid substances are not characterized by a similar phenomena called BOILING. &nbsp;They simply vaporize directly into the atmosphere.</p><p>Generally speaking, distillation, stripping, absorption, humidification are industrial stage wise operations which involves the contact of two phases in various apparatus. &nbsp;Completion of separation depends upon certain properties of components involved and the arrangement of the distillation process.</p><p>The properties involved are:</p><p>– &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Mode of temperature and process control</p><p>– &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The relative volatility between the liquid and vapor phases</p><p>– &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The production capacity of the distiller</p><p>– &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The type of distillation involved</p><p>However, the importance of distillation in commercial process is the purification of a large variety of material and petroleum industries. &nbsp;It is applied in the production of hot drinks in chemical industries. &nbsp;Also, applied in oil companies for the separation of petroleum into its various components e.g kerosene, diesel, gasoline, petrol, fuel, oil, lubricating oil, paraffin wax, aliphatic etc. &nbsp;Lastly, it is equally applied in pharmaceutical industries for the production of ethylated spirits and many other medical strubs.</p> <br><p></p>