Introduction to Distillation

Name: Introduction to Distillation
Author: KnowledgeCity

Learn about distillation, separating components of a liquid mixture based on boiling points

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Course: On-Demand

Distillation is the method of separating different compounds of a liquid mixture based on their different boiling points. When a liquid consisting of several components is heated, the vapor that escapes at the beginning of the distillation comprises most of the more volatile components, depleting the initial mixture. This vapor is collected, and after cooling it returns to its liquid form. Because crude oil is made up of a large mix of products, the goal is not to obtain pure products, but rather cuts or simpler mixtures consisting of products with homogeneous characteristics. These cuts are then subjected to a treatment adapted to their families for the manufacture of a certain product. Two treatment methods are used for the distillation of hydrocarbons in refineries, atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation. Atmospheric distillation is so-called because it's carried out at atmospheric pressure. This process is conducted in a column with many perforated and valved trays, typically 30 to 50, resulting in fractional distillation. After this first distillation, the residual part is sent to another column that is lower in height and has fewer plates, called a vacuum distillation column. As in the still, the crude oil is heated in a closed column, called the atmospheric distillation column. Thanks to the difference in the boiling temperature of the components and with the vaporization of the more light or less light fractions, the fractions of light, intermediate, medium and heavy products are collected in various column levels. Each pure hydrocarbon has specific chemical and physical characteristics. Refining consists of first using the physical characteristics of each component contained in the mixture, such as the boiling point, to separate and extract the primary fractions. Vacuum distillation is used to separate compounds based on differences in boiling point. Vacuum distillation allows this purification technique to be used on compounds with high boiling points, or that are sensitive to air. Compounds with a boiling point below 150 degrees Celsius can normally be distilled without reduced pressure. The vacuum distillation unit is meant to distill the hydrocarbon fractions that cannot be distilled in the atmospheric stage because the high temperatures required would cause their thermal decomposition. It's the complimentary operation to atmospheric distillation. The use of a fractionating column in the setup improves the separation of mixtures and may allow the separation of compounds with similar boiling points. With the apparatus at reduced pressure, exposure to the atmosphere is minimized, and the apparatus can be filled with the inert atmosphere when distillation is complete.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 5 Lessons · 14m in Arabic, English

Course Description

In this course, Introduction to Distillation, you will learn what distillation is. You will learn the two treatment methods for distillation of hydrocarbons in refineries, atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation. By the end of the course, you will understand what each of these methods consists of and what each is used for.

We will discuss continuous distillation and its alternative, batch distillation. You will learn about the two output fractions of continuous distillation—the volatile distillate fraction and the bottoms, or residues, fraction. You will also learn how low-pressure vacuum distillation is similar to fractional distillation. We will also discuss different types of control valves, including flow control valves, pressure control valves, pressure control valves, pressure regulator valves, level control valves, and temperature control valves. Control valves are the final control elements with most fluid handling methods, and it is important to understand why each is used.

What You'll Learn

Learn the two treatment methods for the distillation of hydrocarbons in refineries: atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation
Compare and contrast atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation, including what each consists of and what each is used for
Distinguish continuous distillation from batch distillation and identify the two output fractions of continuous distillation (the volatile distillate fraction and the bottoms, or residues, fraction)
Explain how low-pressure vacuum distillation is similar to fractional distillation
Identify different types of control valves and their uses, including flow, pressure, pressure regulator, level, and temperature control valves
Understand why control valves serve as the final control elements in most fluid handling methods

Key Takeaways

Distillation of hydrocarbons in refineries uses two treatment methods: atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation.
Continuous distillation produces two output fractions, the volatile distillate fraction and the bottoms, or residues, fraction, and its alternative is batch distillation.
Low-pressure vacuum distillation is similar to fractional distillation.
Control valves are the final control elements with most fluid handling methods, and the course covers types such as flow, pressure, pressure regulator, level, and temperature control valves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this Introduction to Distillation course cover?

It covers what distillation is, the two refinery treatment methods for distillation of hydrocarbons (atmospheric and vacuum distillation), continuous distillation and its alternative batch distillation, the two output fractions of continuous distillation (the volatile distillate fraction and the bottoms or residues fraction), how low-pressure vacuum distillation is similar to fractional distillation, and different types of control valves and their uses.

What is the difference between the two distillation methods discussed?

The course compares and contrasts atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation, explaining what each method consists of and what each is used for in the distillation of hydrocarbons in refineries.

Which control valve types are explained in this course?

The course discusses flow control valves, pressure control valves, pressure regulator valves, level control valves, and temperature control valves, and explains why control valves are the final control elements with most fluid handling methods.

What lessons are included in the course?

The lessons are Introduction to Distillation, Control Valve Guidelines and Applications, Vacuum Flashing, Low Pressure, and Test Your Knowledge.

What skills does this course help build?

It builds skills in distillation, fractional distillation, vacuum distillation, industrial processes, oil refining, and refining.