(94e) CFD Analysis of Distillation Trays and Separator Drums: How Revealing a CFD Analysis Can be?

Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become more common to analyze, validate a design, predict, and solve problems in applications that involves separation technologies and equipment such as trays, packings, mist eliminators, etc. CFD analysis provides great insight to how vapor and liquid phases behave in an operational unit giving visual insights. However, CFD has its own limitations. This paper will review a few troubleshooting case studies from industrial applications with unique and challenging 1-phase (vapor) and 2-phases (vapor/liquid) CFD analysis of distillation trays and separator drums. Additionally, it will discuss the importance of proper interpretation of the CFD results and required expertise in separation field to validate and see how revealing or misleading the results can be.