Chemical Engineering Project: Column Distillation and Reflux System

This project report details the design, construction, and analysis of a column distillation system with a reflux divider and condenser. The project's objectives included understanding the working principle of column distillation, determining its advantages, and demonstrating the understanding of reflux dividers and condensers. The student, acting as a chemical engineer, outlines their responsibilities, including analyzing the distillation process, designing the column, and managing the project schedule. The report covers the theory of distillation, engineering knowledge applied, and the challenges faced during implementation, such as material shortages and implementation difficulties. The student also discusses collaborative work, project overview, and contribution to the project, emphasizing communication and management skills. The project involved analyzing distillation methods and understanding reflux divider functionality, culminating in a practical application of chemical engineering principles. The report also explores creative solutions and innovation in distillation, providing a comprehensive overview of the project's objectives, implementation, and outcomes.

Akhilesh Udeniyan
Career Episode 2
Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)

CE 2.1: Project Introduction
Name of the Project : Construction of column distillation with reflux divider and
condenser
Geographical Location : [Please Fill]
Project Duration : [Please Fill]
Organization : [Please Fill]
Position in the Project : Project Team Member
CE 2.2: Project Background
CE 2.2.1: Characteristics of the Project
Distillers is a technique of vaporizing a liquid machine by the application of temperature
by which two specific or different stages and developed namely the vapour stage and the fluid
stage and the fluid stage and it's estimated that the more erratic aspect will be discovered more
the gaseous stage although the less erratic will be contained in the fluid phase. That separation is
reached while there is often a difference in the composition between a liquid machine and the
vapour in equilibrium over it. Thus, by careful administration of recurring vaporization and
condensation from a liquid machine, real aspect fractions could be achieved. That task was
predicated on design of order distillation with reflux divider and condenser.
CE 2.2.2: Objectives developed for project
I was associated with this project as the team member and therefore I had the liability to
prepare the objectives for executing the project as below:
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 To design and construct column distillation with reflux divider and condenser.
 To determine the advantages of distillation method.
 To understand the working principle of column distillation.
 To demonstrate the understanding of reflux divider and condenser.
CE 2.2.3: My area of work
My role in this project was that of a Chemical engineer therefore, I took the liability to
prepare the objectives for conducting this project. I undertook responsibility of dividing the work
among other two members that was required for execution of the project. I studied about reflux
divider and condenser from various available literature and internet to gain knowledge on how it
can be used in column distillation. Apart from that, I also prepared the schedule to execute the
project in a fruitful manner so that it is completed within the stipulated time. I also demonstrated
that communication is one of the essential aspect for successful completion of the project.
CE 2.2.4: Project Group
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CE 2.2.5: My responsibilities throughout the project
I was assigned in this project with the role of a chemical engineer therefore had to
undertake various responsibilities to ensure successful completion of the project within the
stipulated time. Some of the major responsibilities and duties performed by me during the project
is listed as below:
 Analyzing and identifying the advantages of distillation method.
 Studying the process of distillation to demonstrate the working principle of
column distillation.
 Demonstrating the knowledge of reflux divider and condenser.
 Designing and construction of column distillation with reflux divider and
condenser.
CE 2.3: Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1: Comprehending the Theory of the project
Distillation is an activity that separates many components into an overhead distillate and
bottoms. The soles item is nearly entirely water, whilst the distillate might be water or possibly a
steam or both. The divorce process involves three things. First, yet another period should
certainly be formed so as that both water and steam periods occur and may contact one another
on each point in merely a divorce column. Secondly, the components have various volatilities so
as that they can partition between the 2 periods to various extent. Finally, the 2 periods could
possibly be separated by seriousness and other technical means.
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Figure 1: Flowsheet for column distillation
The distillation order contains one give supply and two solution streams. The give
features a mole per cent of the gentle element, ZF. The object supply escaping the most effective
includes a composition of XD of the gentle component. That supply leaving the underside
features a composition of XB of the gentle component. The order is broken in two sections. The
most truly effective section is recognized as the rectifying section. The bottom section is known
as the draining section. The most truly effective solution supply passes using a full condenser.
That successfully condenses a lot of the vapor distillate to liquid. The bottom solution supply
operates on the incomplete reboiler. This allows for the insight of energy in to our column.
CE 2.3.2: Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
I applied my skills and knowledge gained from study in Chemical engineering as well as
from various literature studies on distillation and demonstrated a typical example of distillation
with condenser and reflux separate as that is applied in the divorce of alcohol from water. By the
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applying of temperature we have the ability to virtually vaporize an ideal option is, there by
produce a gas stage consisting of only alcohol and water because the gas will soon be thicker in
alcohol than the residual water, a include level of divorce have got place. By repeater
vaporization and condensations it is then probable to produce as total a divorce as might be
desired, recovering equally the different parts of the mix in as genuine a situation as we wish.
I also studied that reflux divider is a pneumatic device found between condenser and the
most effective of column. It helps in maintaining the given reflux rate in distillation column. It
will soon be closed for quite a while and open for quite a while with respect to the reflux rate
provided. I presented that in handbook run distillation line, reflux rate is run with regards to time
(considering vapor flow charge is constant) i.e., in the event that you say reflux rate is 5:1 then
reflux divider will soon be closed for 5 sec (will perhaps not let any condensate to go through)
and will open for 1 sec (allow the condensate to go through). Basically, your condensate from
condenser will reunite straight back once more to line for 5 sec and get directed out as distillate
for 1 sec. If the reflux rate is transformed, the reflux divider action also modify accordingly.
CE 2.3.3: Accomplishment and Task Performed
I was assigned as the Chemical Engineer in this project. I have efficiently completed the
responsibility given to me in this project. Apart from that, I have integrated the project in small
portions for achieving the project objectives. In addition to that, I have assisted the project
supervisor in allocating the responsibility to the team members based on their particular area of
expertise. Therefore, I have achieved considerable success in the project with the teamwork
conducted.
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CE 2.3.4: Identified Issues and Their Solutions
During the implementation of column distillation with reflux divider and condenser. I
have faced major problems. The initial problem that I have faced was the insufficient materials
required to execute the project. Not all the components for implementing the column distillation
were analysed properly. The second most significant problem that I have faced was the
difficulties in implementing it with reflux divider and condenser.
For mitigating the problems with the raw materials required to conduct the project, I
carried out various analysis to determine the alternatives that can be used for implementing
column distillation with reflux divider and condenser. I have noticed that the design of column is
an essential element for column distillation.
CE 2.3.5: Plan for producing creative and innovative work
The sum total reflux condition represents operation with no product removal. The entire
overhead steam is reduced and delivered as reflux. Subsequently, the reflux ratio (L/D) is
infinite. This, in turn, makes the operating lines the 45 degree. Ergo, the length between the
equilibrium bend and the operating lines is big, so the stepping triangles become bigger, so there
will be fewer stages. For a line with N stages, the divorce factor is explained by:
For a line with confirmed separation, the minimal quantity of stages is:
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A guideline to select the specific quantity of stages is on the basis of the minimal quantity
of stages, and it is often twice the minimum. In this case, the intersection of the operating lines
lies on the equilibrium bend itself. Although, the length between the equilibrium bend and the
operating lines are at their minimal, the stepping triangles become really small. At minimal
reflux, the mixing is less essential than in minimal ideal stages. Because of this a pinch zone,
which is really a zone of continuous structure, will develop. This means that there will be areas
that there may perhaps not modify in the structure from point to stage.
CE 2.3.6: Collaborative work
During the whole period of the project, I have involved myself in the collaborative work
with the team members. I have regularly communicated with the team members and updated
them with the progress of the project. In addition to that, I have remained in close contact with
the project manager throughout the period of the project.
CE 2.4: Project Review
CE 2.4.1: Project Overview
Thermally combined distillation articles were presented as a fresh technique to save
power for separations of multicomponent mixtures. In this project, the easy distillation articles
were in contrast to the thermally combined configurations. For this purpose, distillation
techniques with significantly less than N-1 articles were learned, first considering the easy
distillation articles in line and then the thermally combined configurations.
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CE 2.4.2: My contribution to work
Throughout the project, I have portrayed my efficiency in communication and
management skills. Through the application of the mathematical knowledge and engineering
skills, I have achieved success in the undertaken project.
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