Distillation column: Equipment Tab

Variable Definitions, Ranges and Default Values

The following table shows the meaning of the variables appearing in this tab, as well as their default values and their generally acceptable range. Note that due to the manner by which the variables are used by the sizing and costing equations, the range of acceptable values may be further reduced.

Variable	Default Value	Range

◙ Actual Stages The number of actual stages.	0	Positive
◙ Max Diameter The maximum diameter that a unit of this type is available for purchase of the market.	2.0 m	Positive
◙ Stage Height The height of each stage.	0.4 m	Positive
◙ Column Height The height of the distillation column.	0.0 m	Positive
◙ Column Diameter The diameter of the column.	0.0 m	Positive
● Volume The total volume of the column.	0.0 L	Positive
○ Design Pressure The maximum pressure that the vessel has been designed to withstand.	1.52 bar	Positive
○ Is ASME Vessel? ASME standards of vessel construction will increase the cost of the vessel.	Yes	Yes/No

Symbol Key: ○ User-specified value (always input); ● Calculated value (always output); ◙ Sometimes input, sometimes output

Sizing: Design Mode

In Calculate (Design Mode), the user specifies the Maximum Diameter and Stage Height and the system computes the Number of Units, Number of Actual Stages, Column Height, and Column Diameter. For more information on sizing of the distillation column, see Continuous Distillation (Shortcut): Modeling Calculations.

Sizing: Rating Mode

In User-Defined (Rating Mode), the user specifies the Number of Units, Number of Actual Stages, Column Height, and Column Diameter.

Costing

The equipment purchase cost is based on the diameter and the height of the column. It is supplied by the built-in model assuming as material of construction CS. Other factors that affect the cost are:

Conforming to ASME Specification; if checked, then the vessel is assumed to have been constructed according to standards published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and it is assumed to withstand pressure up to 35psig. Checking this option penalizes the cost by about 20% over the base cost.

For more information on this equipment, see Distillation Column.

For information on the left-hand side variables and options, see Equipment Data Dialog: Equipment tab.