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Overview
Purpose of Overhead Condensers
Provide reflux flow to the top of a column and acts as an additional theoretical stage above the trays/packing
Types of Condensers
Knock-back reflux Total condenser Partial condenser
Knock-Back Condenser
This design is easy to operate, but difficult to achieve precise control. Condenser will be larger due to the bi-directional traffic on the process side.
2-Phase Flow Region
Partial Condenser
Vapor Distillate
Used when vapor product is required, or if non-condensible gases are present in the overhead product. Controlling the vapor stream split can be challenging. Condenser can be in the vertical or horizontal position. - Horizontal Process on the shell side. - Vertical Process is on the tube side.
Liquid Distillate
Total Condenser
Total condensers are used when no non-condensable gases are present. As with other condensers, vertical or horizontal operation is possible. Elevation is not critical for a total condenser. Subcooling of the reflux can be a problem with overhead condensers, especially with vertical designs.
Liquid Distillate
Condenser Design
Considerations
The overhead condenser is often a critical part of the control concept of a column Because distillation is based on VLE principles, the overhead condenser can be used to control the temperature and pressure in the column A later lecture will present some control concepts and strategies for overhead condensers Condensers in series can also be used to optimize utility consumption
Process In
V FD
V FD
Tube Detail
Design Equations:
Air-cooled HX are primarily used when no other cooling utilities are available on site
Note:
The surface area, A, includes the area of the fins! C and m are parameters based on the size of the fin.
Air-Cooled HX Design
Design Considerations
Natural convection in turndown cases Changing ambient air conditions Effect of precipitation on operation of unit Possibility of water-hammer inside tubes
Other Business
Next Lecture February 21
Equipment sizing and pinch analysis