Column & Column Internals
Prepared By: Ashvinkumar Maheshwari
June, 2023
Content
 Column Introduction
 Column Functions
 Column Internals Basics
 Key aspects of Column Design
 Design Spread-sheets
Columns
• Higher L/D
• Components
- External Appurtenances: Platforms/Ladders, Piping,
PSV / Control valves, Column Davit, Lifting/tailing, Reboiler,
Cable tray, Light mast, Fire sprinkler system
- Internals viz. Trays, Packed bed, Distributor,
Collector, Demister,
• Functional difference
Functional Requirement
CONDENSOR
LPG TO
CAUSTIC
WASH &
STORAGE
REFLUX
DRUM
M AI N
COLUMN
S T AB I L I Z E R
COLUMN
PUMP
AR O U N D
LIGHT
NAPHTHA
T O CAUST I C
WASH &
STORAGE
H E AV Y N AP H T H A
STRIPPER
HN TO
STORAGE
PUMP
AR O U N D
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
COOLER
KERO
STRIPPER
CRUDE
KERO TO
STORAGE
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
PUMP
AR O U N D
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
COOLER
LGO
STRIPPER
D E S AL T E R
LGO TO
STORAGE
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
COOLER
HGO
STRIPPER
HGO TO
STORAGE
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
F I R E D H E AT E R
P R E H E AT
T R AI N
COOLER
LR TO
STORAGE
COOLER
Column Internals Process
• For Distillation
• For Stripping
• For Extraction
• For Absorption
Hydraulics of Column
• Vapour moving up ward
• Liquid moving down ward
Driving forces:
• Pressure for vapour
• Gravity for liquid
Column diameter is mostly
controlled by
• Vapour (flow & pressure drop)
How it works
Develop an Interface Between Liquid & Vapor Based on
Their Fluid Properties Like :
– Boiling Point
– Absorption
– Affinity to One or More Components
Major Column Internals
 Tray Columns
 Packed Columns
Bubbling of Vapor Through a Pool of Liquid :Trays
Bring Vapor in Contact With Liquid Spread Over
Large Area : Packed Tower Systems
Tray Column
Packed Column
Types of Trays
Types of Trays
Bubble cap Tray
Four pass Bubble cap Tray
Valve Tray
Tapes of Valve
Multi-Downcomer Tray
Multi-Downcomer Tray
Multi Downcomer Tray
Multi Upcomer Extraction Tray
Random Packing
Structured Packing
 Gem Pack - (Glitsch)
 Mela Pack - (Sulzer)
 Intalox - (Norton)
 Others
Structured Packing
MIST ELIMINATOR / DEMISTORS
• Purpose : Removal of Liquid Droplets From Vapor
Streams
• How?? :
– By Using Coalescing Property of Liquid to Metal
Surface
– By Change in momentum of Flow of the Stream
Types Demistors
Wire Mesh Type
Vane type
Few Vendors
Sl.
No.
Items
Vendors
Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
Godrej & Boyce Mfg.Co.Ltd.
ISGEC
G.R. Engineers
1
Column
Techno Process
Sungjin Geotech Co.Ltd.,KOREA
Doosan mecatec co.,Ltd., KOREA
KNM System Sdn. Bhd.
Hitachi Zoosen
2
Column internals
Sulzer
Kochglitsch
KEY ELEMENT FOR SPECIFICATION
Aspects of Column Design
Rigging Analysis
 Dressed-up Erection
 Full of Liquid
 Column Deflection
 Vortex Shedding
 Weights, Horizonal Forces & Moments
 Combined Load Analysis
 Column Internals dead/operating weight

Important spread sheets for Column Design
• Piping Loads
• External cleats
• Internal attachments viz. TSR/BB
• Lifting and Tailing weights
• Column Internal
Material of Construction
RT & PWHT
Thank You