Sieve plate

Distillation
Column
Process Equipment
Design

Group VI
Himanshu Meena (12CH30015)
Kamble Manish Vijay (12CH30016)
K.S.S.Viswanat
(12CH30017)
Monish Kumar
(12CH30018)

Problem:
A process stream of solution of methanol, acetic acid having zF = 0.5 has to be concentrated by
Distillation. The distillate product stream has to contain methanol of xD = 0.95. The bottom
product stream contain methanol of xB = 0.05. The operating pressure for the operation is 94.13
kPa. Design the distillation column using data supplied.

Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Data

Vapour liquid Equilibrium Data of Methanol and Acetic Acid is presented below:
Pressure-94.13 kPa

(Source: Vapor-Liquid Equilibria of Binary Mixtures Methanol-Acetic Acid, Ethanol-

Acetic Acid, n-Propanol-Acetic, n-Butanol Acetic Acid. Chem.Eng.Sci.Journal 10 (1959) 105-111)

T [K]
388.95
385.15
383.05
378.15
375.95
370.55
367.95
365.85
364.85
359.95
357.85
354.85
353.05
349.15
346.85
344.75
342.25
340.45
339.05
336.95
336.15
336.05

x1 [mol/mol]
0
0.037
0.058
0.107
0.137
0.208
0.25
0.28
0.306
0.387
0.427
0.492
0.517
0.601
0.657
0.713
0.785
0.839
0.882
0.959
0.995
1

y1 [mol/mol]
0
0.109
0.165
0.303
0.353
0.491
0.556
0.603
0.63
0.735
0.776
0.831
0.853
0.911
0.934
0.951
0.971
0.983
0.989
0.996
0.999
1

First, the equilibrium data was plotted and the 45 feed line was drawn. Then xD point was plotted on
the 45 line and the operating line for enriching section was drawn .From the intercept of this line on y
axis the min reflux ratio was determined on the y-axis. The intercept on y axis was (xD/Rm+1) and
minimum reflux ratio(Rm)= 0.55.

Reflux
ratio
0.5
0.55
0.6

n.o.stages(with
reboiler)
inf
9.8
8.9

Tray Efficiency Real n.o stages

Column Diameter

Total
height

0.6
0.6

1.0598
1.0768

16.2
15.3

15
14

0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.5

8
7.7
7.4
7
6.9
6.8
6.7
6.6
6.3
6
5.9
5.7

0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6

12
12
11
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
9
8

1.0935
1.1099
1.1261
1.1421
1.1578
1.1734
1.1887
1.2039
1.2336
1.2626
1.291
1.346

13.5
13.5
12.6
11.7
11.7
11.7
11.7
11.7
10.8
10.8
10.8
9.9

But from the table, it is seen that as the reflux ratio is increased; The no of stages hence the tray
installation costs would come down. At the same time, the reboiler and condenser load were found to
be increasing. In order to achieve a balance between the two, we draw a graph between reflux ratio and
the total costs. A sample cost calculation for R=0.75 is shown below:
Sample Cost Calculation
F=10 000kg/h;
M.W of CH3OH=32(distillate);M.W. Of CH3COOH= 60
Mol.Wt of feed=0.5*32+0.5*60
=46
Feed=10000/46=217.39 kmol/h
F=D+B
Fzf=DXd+BXb

and xb=0.05;xd=0.95;zf=0.5

Solving D=108.69 kmol/h=B=108.69

Vapour Rate in distillate= V = D(1+0.75)=190.21 kmol/h = 6352.93 kg/h = 1.764 kg/s
(V-V)/F + 1 =q = 0.85
Solving
Vapour flow rate below feed=V=4852.93 kg/hr=1.348 kg/s
Column Diameter Dc
a) At top
L = 791.8 kg/m3
v = PM/RT = 1.122 Kg/m3 P = 94.13 KPa , T = 337 K
maximum allowable vapour velocity = Uoperational =(-0.171l2 + 0.27l-0.047)*((pl - v)/v)0.5

l,Tray Spacing =0.9 gives Uoperational = 1.582 m/s

Column Diameter =(4Vw/vUoperational)
=(4*1.764/*1.12*1.582)0.5
=1.1261 m
b) At bottom
L = 1049 kg/m3
v = PM/RT = 1.705 Kg/m3 P = 94.13 KPa , T = 389 K
maximum allowable vapour velocity = Uoperational =(-0.171l2 + 0.27l-0.047)*((pl - v)/v)0.5
l =0.9 gives Uoperational = 1.425 m/s
Column diameter =(4Vw/vUoperational)
=(4*1.348/*1.705*1.425)0.5
=0.84 m
Column Height
Column has 11 trays i.e., 10 tray spacings i.e., 10*0.9=9m
Bottom Space:Provide 0.8m liquid depth at bottom 1.6m clear space above liquid
Top Space:Provide 1.2m space above
Total height=12.6m
Purchase Cost
Density of steel=490 lb/ft3
Thickness=5/8 in
Total Weight of shell=3.71*(5/8)*(1/12)*3.14*41.34*490*1.12
=13772 lb
Purchased cost of steel=43000$
Cost of 10 stainless steel sieve trays = 11*900*1.45 (1.45 quantity factor) Timmerhaus
=14355$.
Cost of 12 18 in manholes = 12*116*18 = 25056$
Cost of 2 10inch vapour line nozzle = 1380$
Cost of 3 4inch nozzle( for feed) = 3*69*4=828$
Cost of 2 4inch nozzle( 1for reflux,1 for bottoms prod )=414$
Total purchase cost = 76090$
Annual Cost of Condenser
Rate of heat transfer/hour =moles of vapour condensed/hr * molal latent heat of vap
Methanol =1104 KJ/kg , Acetic acid = 402 KJ/kg
= 6352.93 x 1104=6790647 KJ/hr = 6436632.23 Btu/hr
Cold water available at 90oF, Methanol boiling point = 148.47 F
Heat transfer area = q/h(T-Tcoolant) = 6436632.23/[100*(148.47-90)] = 1100.84 ft2
Assuming h = 100 btu/ hr ft2 oF for condenser
Cost = 20.68*1100 = 22748 $
Cost of cooling water = 0.238$/10000 kg
6790647 Kj/hr= m(kg/hr) *1*27.8, m=244267 kg/hr ,
Assuming 8 hrs of operation in 1 day and 250 days in a year , cost = 11627 $.

 Annual cost of reboiler

Heat in = heat out
Heat capacity of acetic acid = 123.1 J/mol-K, Heat capacity of methanol= 79.5 j/ mol k
Heat capacity of mixture = 2.20 kj/kg-K, taking 148.47 F =337.7 K as reference
Q + 10000*2.2*(354.85-337.7) = Qcondenser (=6790647 Kj/hr )+ 108.69*79.5*(391-337.7)
Q = 6873904 kj /hr= 6515549 btu/hr
Assuming heat transfer coeff of reboiler = 80 btu/ hr ft2 oF
A = Q/h*(Tsteam T), steam is at 60 psi , so steam temp = 292.7 F
A = 6515549/[80*(292.7-244.4)]= 1686 ft2
Cost = 25.61*A = 43178$
Cost of steam =3.31 $/ 1000 kg
6873904 kj/hr =( 2.13*1000)*m , m= 3227 kg/hr
Cost of steam = 21363 $ for 1 year operation
Total cost = 184370 $
The data for other values of Reflux ratio is tabulated as below:Reflux
Ratio
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.5

Shell

49000
48000
46000
44000
43000
41000
41700
42000
42500
42800
41000
42000
42500
40500

trays Manhole Nozzles

16875
16380
15320
15410
14753
13988
14123
14248
14300
14500
14850
15221
15592
15120

33408
31320
27144
27144
25056
22968
22968
22968
22968
22968
20880
20880
20880
18792

2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622
2622

condensor cooling Reboiler

water
20163 10298
38308
20814 10630
39527
21764 11098
40746
22015 11194
41965
22765 11627
43184
23415 11959
44402
24066 12291
45621
24716 12623
46840
25367 12955
48059
26017 13288
49278
27318 13952
51716
28619 14616
54154
29920 15281
56591
32522 16610
61467

And a graph between Reflux ratio and total costs is plotted as shown:

steam

Total
cost

18951
19554
20257
20360
21363
21966
22569
23172
23775
24378
25585
26791
27997
30409

189625
188847
184951
184710
184370
182320
185960
189189
192546
195851
197923
204903
211383
218042

Optimum reflux ratio is found out to be 0.8.

Feed, Distillate and Bottom product Calculations for Optimum Reflux Ratio:
F=10 000kg/h;
M.W of CH3OH=32(distillate); M.W. Of CH3COOH= 60
Mol.Wt of feed=0.5*32+0.5*60
=46
Feed=10000/46=217.39 kmol/h
F=D+B
Fzf=DXd+BXb

and xb=0.05;xd=0.95;zf=0.5

Solving D=108.69 kmol/h=B=108.69

Vapour Rate in distillate= V = D(1+0.8)=195.64 kmol/h = 6534.44 kg/h = 1.81 kg/s
As Vapor flow rate above the feed tray = Vapor flow rate below the feed tray + Amount of Vapor in feed,
We have V = V-(1-q)*F
Vapor flow rate below feed=V= 5034.44kg/hr= 1.4 kg/s
As L = R*D = 0.8*108.69 = 86.95 kmol/hr = 2904.13 kg/hr
L-L = F*q, Liquid flow rate below feed=L=11404.13 kg/hr
Column Diameter Dc
At top
PL = 752 kg/m3

v = PM/RT = 1.122 Kg/m3 P = 94.13 KPa , T = 337 K

Flv = L/V * (v/ L)0.5 = 0.0172
K1 = 0.12*(0.0195/0.02)0.2 = 0.1193
Uf = 3.08 m/s
Design for 85 percent flooding rate
Uf = 2.618 m/s
Volumetric Flow rate = Vapour flow rate above feed/Density = (1.81 Kg/s)/(1.122 kg/m3) = 1.613 m3/s
Area = Volumetric flow rate / Uf
= 0.617 m2
So Diameter = 0.92 m
At bottom
PL = 987 kg/m3
v = PM/RT = 1.705 Kg/m3 P = 94.13 KPa , T = 389 K
Flv = L/V * (v/ L)0.5 = 0.094
K1 = 0.12*(0.0196/0.02)0.2 = 0.1193
Uf = 2.87 m/s
Design for 85 percent flooding rate
Uf = 2.44 m/s
Volumetric Flow rate = Vapour flow rate below feed/Density = (1.4 Kg/s)/(1.705 kg/m3) = 0.821 m3/s
Area = Volumetric flow rate / Uf
= 0.336 m2
So Diameter = 0.65 m
Liquid flow pattern:Max. volumetric liquid rate=L/3600 * 987
=3.21 x 10-3 m3/s
From the graph, pg 568, Coulson & Richardson it is clear that a single pass tray can be used.
Provisional Plate Design:Column Diameter Dc =0.92 m
Column Area Ac =0.6648 m2

Downcomer area Ad = 0.12 x 0.6648 = 0.0797 m2, at 12 per cent

Net area An = Ac - Ad = 0.6648 0.0797 = 0.5850 m2
Active area Aa = Ac - 2Ad = 0.6648 2*0.0797 = 0.5054 m2
Hole area Ah take 5 per cent Aa as first trial = 0.0257 m2
Weir length (from Figure 11.31)
Ad/Ac =12%, lw =0.74*0.92=0.681 m
Take weir height hw - 50 mm
Hole diameter dh - 5 mm
Plate thickness - 5 mm
a)Check weeping
Max. liquid rate Lw = 3.167 kg/s
Minimum liquid rate, at 70 per cent turn-down = 0.7 x 3.167
= 2.217 kg/s
The height of the liquid crest over the weir how = 750[Lw /L lw]2/3
Maximum how = 20.7 mm
Minimum how = 16.3 mm
At minimum rate how + hw = 66.3 mm
From fig 11.30 pg 571,
K2 = 30.4
The vapour velocity at the weep point is the minimum value for stable operation.
The minimum design vapour velocity h = [K2-0.90(25.4- dh)]/v0.5
= 9.234 m/s
actual minimum vapour velocity = min vapour rate/ Ah
= 0.7 x Actual vapour rate/ Ah = 0.7 x 0.82/0.0257
= 22.33 m/s
>9.23 m/s
So minimum operating rate will be well above weep point.
b)Plate pressure drop
Dry plate drop

Maximum vapour velocity through holes h = vapour rate/ Ah

= 31.9 m/s
From Graph 11.34, for plate thickness/hole dia. = 1, and Ah/Ap ~ Ah/Aa = 0.05, C0 = 0.81
The pressure drop through the dry plate, hd = 51 [uh/C0]2 [V/L]
= 136 mm liquid
Correction factor, Residual head hr = (12.5 x 103)/ L
= 16.49 mm liquid
total plate pressure drop= pressure drop through dry plate and of liquid crest
= 138 + 16.49 + (50 + 20.3)
= 228 mm liquid
c)Downcomer liquid back-up
Downcomer pressure loss
Take hap = hw 10 = 40 mm.
Area under apron, Aap = hap x lw = 0.681 x 40 x 10-3 = 0.0272 m2.
The head loss in the downcomer hdc = 166 [Lwd/LAm]2
Where Am = either the downcomer area Ad or the clearance area under the downcomer
Aap; whichever is the smaller, m2.
= 0.0272 m2
hdc = 3.97 mm say 4 mm
Back-up in downcomer hb = (50 + 20.7) + 4 + 228
= 303 mm or 0.303 m
< 0.5(plate spacing + weir height)
so tray spacing is acceptable.
d)Residence Time
Check residence time tr = AdhbcL/Lwd = 0.06*.303*987/3.167
= 5.611 sec
>3 sec satisfactory
d)Entrainment
Also un = 1.61 m3/s An

= 1.61/0.5850= 2.75 m/s

e)Flooding
Percent flooding = un actual velocity/uf
= 2.75/3.08 = 81%
Less than Design value of 85%
Tray Geometry
Lw/D =0.74 12% downcomer area , angle subtended at centre = 98
Consider 5 cm unperforated tip
Angle subtended at plate edge by unperforated strip == 180 98 = 82
Mean length, unperforated edge strips = (0.92 0.05)*3.141 * 82/180 = 1.245 m
Area of unperforated edge strips =1.245 * 0.050=0.0622 m2
Mean length of calming zone = (0.92 0.05) sin (99/2) = 0.661 m
Area of calming zone = 2(0.661 x 0.05) = 0.0661 m2
Total area for perforations, Ap =0.5054 -0.0622 - 0.0661 = 0.3771 m2
Ah/Ap = 0.0257/0.3771 = 0.068
From 11.33 lp/dh=3.7, satisfactory
Ah = 0.0257
Area of 1 hole = 1.9634 x 10-5 m2
Number of holes = 1309

Mechanical Design of Distillation Column:

a) Shell:
Diameter of the tower =Di =0.920 m
Working/Operating Pressure = 94.13 KPa =0.959 kg/cm2
Design pressure = 1.1*Operating Pressure = 1.0549 kg/cm2
Working temperature = 389K
Design temperature = Operating temp. + 50F(10 K) = 399K
Shell material - IS: 2002-1962 Carbon steel (specific gravity 7.7)

Permissible tensile stress (ft) = 70 MN/m2 = 713.8 kg/cm2

Elastic Modulus (E) = 1.98x105 MN/m2
Insulation material - asbestos
Insulation thickness = 2= 50.8 mm
Density of insulation = 2700 kg/m3
b) Head - tori spherical dished head:
Material - IS: 2002-1962 Carbon steel
Allowable tensile stress = 70 MN/m2 = 713.8 kg/cm2
c) Support skirt:
Height of support = 1000 mm = 1.0 m
Material - Carbon Steel
d) Trays-sieve type:
Number of trays = 10
Tray spacing: 900 mm
e) Support for tray:
Purlins - Channels and Angles
Material - Carbon Steel
Permissible Stress = 95 MN/cm2 = 970 kg/cm2
1. Shell minimum thickness:
Considering the vessel as an internal pressure vessel.
ts = ((P*Di)/ ((2*ft*J)- P)) + C
where ts = thickness of shell, mm
P = design pressure, kg/cm2
Di = diameter of shell, mm
ft = permissible/allowable tensile stress, kg/cm2
C = Corrosion allowance, mm
J = Joint factor
Considering double welded butt joint with backing strip
J= 85% = 0.85

Thus, ts = ((1.0549*920)/ ((2*713.8*0.85)- 1.0549)) + 3 = 3.8 mm

Taking the thickness of the shell = 6 mm (standard)
2. Head Design- Shallow dished and Tori spherical head:
Thickness of head = th = (P*Rc*W)/ (2*f*J)
P =internal design pressure, kg/cm2
Rc = crown radius = diameter of shell, mm
W= stress intensification factor or stress concentration factor for torispherical
head,
W= * (3 + (Rc/Rk)0.5)
Rk = knuckle radius, which is at least 6% of crown radius, mm
Now, Rc = 920 mm
Rk = 6% of Rc = 0.06*920 = 55.2 mm
W= * (3 + (Rc/Rk)0.5) = * (3 + (16.67)0.5) = 2.833 mm
So thickness = 2.27 mm
Including corrosion allowance of 3mm, the thickness of head = 5.27 mm
Standard thickness = 6 mm
Pressure at which elastic deformation occurs
P (elastic) = 0.366 E (t/ Rc)2 = 7.86 MN/ m2
The pressure required for elastic deformation, P(elastic)>3(Design Pressure) Hence, the thickness
is satisfactory.

Weight of Head:
Diameter = O.D + (O.D/24) + (2*sf) + (2*icr/3)
Where O.D. = Outer diameter of the shell, inch
icr = inside cover radius, inch
sf = straight flange length, inch
From Table , sf =1.5
icr = 2.31
Also, O.D.= 940 mm = 36.22

Diameter = 36.22+ (36.22/24) + (2*1.5)+(2/3*2.31)

d = 41.01 = 1041.85 mm.
Weight of head = (*D2*t/4)*
= 39.39 Kg where for Carbon Steel = 7700 kg/m3
3. Shell thickness:
a) Axial Tensile Stress due to Pressure:
ap = P*Di /[4(ts -c)] = 1.0549*920/[4*(6-3)] = 80.875 kgf/cm2
This is the same throughout the column height.
b) Axial stress due Dead Loads:
I.

Compressive stress due to Weight of shell up to a distance X meter from top

ds = weight of shell/cross-section of shell
= (*D*t*X*s)/(*t*D)
= X*s
s = density of shell material = 7700 kg/m3
So ds = 7700*X kg/m2 = 0.77X kg/cm2
The vessel contains manholes, nozzles etc., additional weight may be estimated 20%
of the weight of the shell.
So ds = 1.2*7700*X kg/m2 = 0.924*X kg/cm2

II.

Compressive stress due to weight of insulation at a height X meter:

ds = weight of shell/cross-section of shell
= (*Dins*tins*X*ins)/(*(ts-c)*D)
asbestos is to be used as insulation material.
density = 2700 kg/m3
tins = 2 = 5.08 cm.
Dins =Dc+2ts+2tins =1033.6 mm
So zi = 51484.69 X kg/m2
= 5.148469 X kg/cm2

III.

Stress due to the weight of the liquid and tray in the column up to a height X
d, liq. = .weight of liquid and tray per unit height X / *Dm* (ts - c)

Tray spacing is 900 mm.

The top chamber height is m and it does not contain any liquid or tray.
Average liquid density =869.5 kg/m3
Liquid and tray weight for X meter
No. of Trays = [(X-1)/0.9 + 1]
Weight of Liquid on Trays = (*D2/4*Weir Height)*liq*No of Trays
= (*D2/4*Weir Height)*liq*[(X-1)/0.9 + 1]
d,liq = Weight of liquid/Cross Section
= (*D2/4*Weir Height)*liq*[(X-1)/0.9 + 1]/ [(*Dm* (ts - c))]
= 289*[1.11X-0.11]/ [*1.0336* (0.006 0.003)]
= 2.9667*(1.11X-0.11)kg/cm2
= 3.29X-0.33 kg/cm2
IV.

Compressive stress due to attachments such as internals, top head, platforms

and ladder up to height X meter.
d,attachments = weight of attachments/cross-section of shell
Now total weight up to height X meter = weight of top head + pipes +ladder, etc.,
Taking the weight of pipes, ladder and platforms as 25 kg/m = 0.25 kg/cm
Total weight up to height X meter = (Weight of head+25X) kg =(39.37+25X) kg
Total compressive dead weight stress:
dx = ds + ins +d (liq) + d (attch)
= 0.77X + 5.148469 X + 3.29X-0.33 + (39.37+25X)
= 34.208 X + 39.04 kg/cm2

V.

Tensile stress due to wind load in self supporting vessels:

wx = Mw /Z
Where, Mw = bending moment due to wind load = (wind load* distance)/2
= 0.7*Pw*D*X2/2
Z = cross section for the area of shell m
=(*Dm2/4 * (ts-c))
So wx = (0.7*Pw*D*X2/2)/ (*Dm2/4 * (ts-c))
Now Pw = 0.05 Vw2
Where Vw = 140 km/hr upto a height of 20 m
So Pw = 25 lb/ft2 from Brownell Young
= 37.204 kg/m2

Substituting wx = 11.98 X2 /(*0.92*(0.006-0.003))

= 1381X2 Kg/m2 or 0.1381X2 kg/cm2
VI.

Stresses due to Seismic load:

sx = Msx / (*Dm2/4 * (ts-c))
Where, bending moment Msx at a distance X meter is given by
Msx = [C*W*X2/3] * [(3H-X)/H2]
Where, C = seismic coefficient,
W= total weight of column, kg
H = height of column
Total weight of column = W= Cv**m*Dm*g* (Hv+ (0.8*Dm))*ts*10-3 (eqn. 13.75,
page 743, Coulson and Richardson 6th volume)
Where W = total weight of column, excluding the internal fittings like plates, N
Cv = a factor to account for the weight of nozzles, man ways, internal
supports, etc.
= 1.5 for distillation column with several man ways, and with plate
support rings or equivalent fittings
Hv = height or length between tangent lines (length of cylindrical section)
g = gravitational acceleration = 9.81 m/s2
t = wall thickness
m = density of vessel material, kg/m3
Dm = mean diameter of vessel =Di +2t = 0.932 m
So W = 24604.32 N = 2508.08 kg
Weight of plates: ------- (Coulson and Richardson 6th volume)
Plate Area = *0.922/4 = 0.665 m2
Weight of each plate = 1.2*0.665 = 0.798 KN
Weight of 10 trays = 79.8 KN
= 813.45 Kg
Total weight of column = 2508.08 + 813.45 = 3321.53 Kg
Let, C = seismic coefficient = 0.08
Msx = [C*W*X2/3] * [(3H-X)/H2] = 22.7 X 0.647 X3
Therefore sx = 1.1235X-0.032X3 kg/cm2
On the up wind side:
t,max = (wx or sx) + ap dx
=0.1381X2 + 161.75 (34.208 X + 39.04)
= 0.1381X2 +122.71 34.208X
But t,max = fJ = 713.8 * 0.85 Kg/cm2 = 606.3 Kg/cm2
Solving X = 261m >> 11.7 m
On the down wind side:
t,max = (wx or sx) -ap +dx
=0.1381X2 - 161.75 + (34.208 X + 39.04)
= 0.1381X2 -122.71 + 34.208X
But c,max = 0.125E*(t/D) = 0.125*1980000*(6/920) Kg/cm2 = 1614.13 Kg/cm2
Solving X = 43.23 >> 11.7 m

So we conclude that the design is safe and thus the design

calculations are acceptable.
From longitudinal stress alone we see that a thickness of 6mm throughout is safe.
4. Design of Support:
The cylindrical shell of the skirt is designed for the combination of stresses due
to vessel dead weight, wind load and seismic load. The thickness of skirt is uniform
and
is designed to withstand maximum values of tensile or compressive stresses.
Data available:
(i) Diameter = 920 mm.
(ii) Height =11.7 m
(iii) Weight of vessel, attachment = 2508.08 kg.
(iv) Diameter of skirt (straight) = 920 mm
(v) Height of skirt = 3.0 m
(vi) Wind pressure = 25 kg/m2
a. Stresses due to dead Weight:
d=dead weight of attachments and vessel / (*Dsk* tsk)
= 2508.08/(*92.0*t)
= 8.67/t
b. Stress due to wind load:
pw = k * p1* h1* Do
p1 = wind pressure for the lower part of vessel,
k = coefficient depending on the shape factor
= 0.7 for cylindrical vessel.
Do = outside diameter of vessel,
The bending moment due to wind at the base of the vessel is given by
Mw = pw * H/2
wb = Mw/Z
Z- Modulus of section of skirt cross-section
pw = 0.7* 25*3.0*0.92 = 48.3 kg
Mw = pw *H/2 = 48.33/2 = 72.45 kg-m
Substituting the values we get,
wb = 0.2506/tsk kg/cm2
c. Stress due to seismic load:
Load = C*W
C = seismic coefficient = 0.08,
W= total weight of column
Stress at base sb = (2/3)*(H*W*C)/(*Dsk2*tsk/4) =0.588/t kg/cm2

Maximum tensile stress:

t,max= wb - d
= 8.419/t
But permissible tensile stress = 713.8 kg/cm2
t=0.1179 mm
Maximum compressive stress:
c,max= wb + d
= 8.9206/t
But c,max = Yield Point/3 = 1980/3 = 660 kg/cm2
So t=0.135 mm
As per IS 2825-1969, minimum corroded skirt thickness = 7 mm
Thus use a thickness of 7 mm for the skirt.
5. Nozzle Design:
1. Feed Nozzle:
nozzles are required for vapour discharge, reflux inlet, feed inlet, reboiled vapour inlet and
liquid bottoms outlet.
The inner diameter of the nozzle is calculated by the formula:
Di = 0.363 * () 0.45 * () 0.13
Where Di = inner diameter of the nozzle in m
= mass flow rate in m3/s
= density of the liquid in kg/m3
For feed, = 0.00376 m3/s and = 738.2 kg/m3
Di = 0.0694 m
and the thickness of the nozzle is calculated by the formula:
t = (P * Di)/ (2 * f * J P)
Where t = thickness of the nozzle in m
P = design pressure in Pa = 1.1 * maximum pressure
Di = diameter of the nozzle
f = allowable stress
J = joint factor = 0.85
Calculating thickness = 0.006 mm
additional thickness for corrosion be 3 mm.
Total Thickness = 3.006 mm
Standard thickness is 6mm.

2. Nozzle for distillate:

For distillate, = 0.00128 m3/s and = 752 kg/m3
Following the above procedure,
Di = 0.0428 m
And thickness including corrosion allowance = 3.003 mm
So Standard thickness = 6mm

3. Nozzle for residue:

For distillate, = 0.00184 m3/s and = 987 kg/m3
Di = 0.0523 m

And thickness including corrosion allowance = 3.0045 mm

So Standard thickness = 6mm