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Fractionation at total reflux. The Fenske equation in continuous fractional distillation is an equation used for calculating the minimum number of theoretical plates required for the separation of a binary feed stream by a fractionation column that is being operated at total reflux (i.e., which means that no overhead product distillate is being withdrawn from the column).
The theoretical plate in conventional distillation trays has no "height". It is simply a hypothetical equilibrium stage. However, the theoretical plate in packed beds, chromatography and other applications is defined as having a height.
Typical industrial fractional distillation columns. Fractional distillation is the most common form of separation technology used in petroleum refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants, natural gas processing and cryogenic air separation plants. [3] [4] In most cases, the distillation is operated at a continuous steady state. New feed is ...
The McCabe–Thiele method is a technique that is commonly employed in the field of chemical engineering to model the separation of two substances by a distillation column. [1] [2] [3] It uses the fact that the composition at each theoretical tray is completely determined by the mole fraction of one of the two components.
In a typical fractional distillation, a liquid mixture is heated in the distilling flask, and the resulting vapor rises up the fractionating column (see Figure 1). The vapor condenses on glass spurs (known as theoretical trays or theoretical plates) inside the column, and returns to the distilling flask, refluxing the rising distillate vapor ...
The reflux system in a typical industrial distillation column. Reflux is a technique involving the condensation of vapors and the return of this condensate to the system from which it originated. It is used in industrial [1] and laboratory [2] distillations. It is also used in chemistry to supply energy to reactions over a long period of time.
A packed column is a condenser used in fractional distillation. Its main component is a tube filled with small objects to increase the surface area and the number of theoretical plates. The tube can be the inner conduit of some other type, such as Liebig or Allhin. [3]
Fractionation is also used for culinary purposes, as coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil are fractionated to produce oils of different viscosities, that may be used for different purposes. These oils typically use fractional crystallization (separation by solubility at temperatures) for the separation process instead of distillation.