Models describing the behavior of new carbon fiber packings inn rectification processes

Abstract

Many rectification processes are used to separate corrosive substances with high boiling points. This report deals with a new type of structured column packing made of corrosionresistant carbon fiber material. These column internals allow for low pressure drop at high throughput rates with reasonable column efficiency. Experiments in columns of 50 and 100 mm diameter have been carried out to investigate separation efficiency, pressure drop and liquid holdup of the packings even at low operation pressures. In the respective columns two geometrical different types of packings have been tested using binary mixtures of chlorobenzene/ethylbenzene and trandcis-decahydronaphthalene. The 50 mm diameter column was operated with a packing geometry similar to the Sulzer EX packing, the 100 mm diameter column was filled with elements of rougher structure and smaller specific surface. Basing on the experimental results, model equations are presented, which allow the calculation of -the investigated