Effect of liquid phase dispersion on the performance of water distillation column

Effect of the axial dispersion in the liquid phase on the performance of a vacuum distillation column for heavy water production has been investigated in this study. Axial dispersion in the liquid phase and liquid phase holdup in the distillation column were evaluated by carrying out Residence Time Distribution (RTD) studies using the radiotracer technique. To simulate the measured RTD data, a two Plug flow with Axial Dispersion Model (PF-ADM) in parallel was used. A steady-state process model using rate-based modeling was developed to determine the effect of axial dispersion in the liquid phase on the overall performance of the water distillation column for heavy water separation. Validation of the process model was carried out using the plant operating data. The model was further used to study the effect of axial dispersion in the liquid phase on the performance of distillation columns in terms of Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate (HETP).