(65e) Best Practices in Design of Pilot Plant Scale Distillation Columns

Design of distillation columns while a traditional and well established practice for chemical engineers becomes challenging at the pilot plant scale due to numerous factors associated with the smaller size. This paper will discuss the author’s experiences with the design of pilot plant distillation columns and highlight where the problems arise and what approaches have (and have not) worked well in the past. Specific areas will include:

• Sizing issues: How big does it really need to be?
• Mechanical design: How do I make it cheap and yet work?
• Flexibility: How do I make sure I can use it as my program evolves?
• Heating: What works and what does not?
• Mounting: The problems often overlooked until it’s too late