Top Tray Spacing Criteria in a Column

[ChemE2912]

Hi ALL!

What would be the criteria for the separation of the top tray and tangent line in a stripper column?

Can I assume a 24-36" spacing for this tray to allow a proper disengagement? (Column Diameter is approx. 3 ft)

Is there any quantitative criteria (i.e. 0.5 x Column Diameter) to determine what would be the height I should leave in this top tray?

Any help is welcome.

Regards,

ChemE2912

 

[Mondolfi]

Hi ChemE29152,

Most engineering companies use 900mm-1000mm as a general distance for this top tray and tangent line.

Regards,

 

[22082002]

Technically, I feel, anything from one tray to two spacing is acceptable.

Regards,

 

[22082002]

Of course, for this I assume you have false downcomer and subcooled reflux.

This is rather quite specific to above situation.

I suggest referring Distillation books by Kister before making any decision.

Regards,

 

[25362]

I'd think the distance to the vapour outlet should be more important than that to the tangent line. And, as said before, the conditions are site-specific and the type of stripper you are considering may influence a decision to that respect. Could you be more specific as to the operation actually being carried out in the stripper ?

 

[ChemE2912]

It is a sour stripper.

Thank all.