Investigation on flow patterns and mass transfer of distillation trays by experimental techniques

This study proposes an innovative approach for measuring point efficient, tray efficiency and investigating the concentration distribution on an industrial scale distillation sieve tray of 0,8m diameter. Experiments were conducted stripping Isobutyl Acetate from a 400ppm water solution, using air. The liquid was sampled at several positions on the tray, and its concentration was measured using UV-spectroscopy. The tray efficiency was calculated using measured inlet and outlet liquid concentrations and Henry’s law for the needed equilibrium concentration. The value of point efficiency was obtained using the tray efficiency and the liquid concentration profile. This approach allows considering the degree of mixing of the liquid on the tray in both the transversal and horizontal directions