Prospectus

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OR-12 Dividing Wall Column Experimental Work Introduction

Developmental Research Idea

Dividing wall columns (DWC) are becoming more common in commercial applications, especially for applications associated with the production of chemicals. It would be of value to the industry to demonstrate the performance (e.g. efficiency, pressure drop and capacity) of commercially available semicircular trays with downcomers manufactured for dividing wall columns to aid in future design and development. This is not a demonstration of an operating DWC. Instead, we propose do standard FRI performance tests to demonstrate the impact of semicircular trays on hydraulic performance and efficiency. Proposed Test Program It is proposed that FRI install a cartridge tray with dividing wall into the 4-foot diameter section of the LP Column to evaluate the impact of the sharp corners at the edges and short flow path lengths of the tray sections. Proposed Internals and Test System: Test column: 4-ft Low Pressure Column Test system: C6/C7 Test pressure: 100 & 165 psia Tray type: A commercial cartridge tray divided into sections that are 70:30 ratio of the column cross sectional area. The Dividing wall installed perpendicular to the downcomer. The total downcomer dimensions should be the same for the trays with and without the dividing wall.

Valve Type:

Fixed valves with and without push valves.

Number of Trays: Column operation:

10

Total reflux (efficiency, capacity, pressure drop)

Distributor: Pipe Distributor with open area to match required liquid flows on each side of the dividing wall. Estimated Unit Time: Total 6 weeks unit time, including 3 weeks for revamps and 3 weeks for data collection

Various samples should be collected various trays on each side of the partition.

PROSPECTUS

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