2010 Spring Meeting & 6th Global Congress on Process Safety

(55d) Reboiler Circuits for Trayed Towers - Part 2

Authors

Ed Grave - Presenter, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
Todd Marut - Presenter, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
Daniel R. Summers - Presenter, Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc.
Waldo E. De Villiers - Presenter, Shell Projects and Technology (US)
Henry Z. Kister - Presenter, Fluor Corporation
Paul Morehead - Presenter, Koch-Glitsch, LP
Ron Olsson - Presenter, Celanese Ltd.
Joseph Flowers - Presenter, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company
Joseph Parker - Presenter, Eastman Chemical Company
Larry Wilder - Presenter, Dow Chemical Company
Doug Bouck - Presenter, Separations Solutions, Ltd.
John P. Farone - Presenter, Dow Chemical (retired)


The reboiler generally supplies most of the energy required to effect component separation. If too much heat is supplied, the tower will flood; conversely, if too little heat is available, separation performance decreases via poor reflux ratio (pinching), excessive weeping or poor tray action. Proper design of reboiling systems involves coordinating aspects both outside and inside the tower. This Design Practice focuses on both of these aspects to ensure proper operation of the overall reboiler system. Important literature discussing these topics is also cited.