Rather than compulsory directions, a collection of techniques is presented to guide the user. Emphasis is placed on principles rather than on specific steps.

This procedure covers continuously operated tray distillation columns. The tray columns include all types of trays, with or without down comers for liquid. Testing of auxiliary equipment is not included, even though it may limit column capacity. Other established procedures are available for testing auxiliary equipment.

Batch distillation columns are covered in that their performance can be tested best by running them under steady state conditions, either at total reflux or with the overhead returned to the kettle continuously. The principles outlined herein for continuous columns will then apply.

Purpose

This testing procedure offers methods of conducting and interpreting performance tests on tray distillation columns. Such tests may be made to accumulate reliable data in one or more of the following areas of interest: try efficiency, capacity limitations, energy consumption, or pressure drop considerations. These data are useful for troubleshooting, for debottlenecking, for new designs, for correlations, and for determination of the operating range of a column as well as the optimum operating conditions. These data may also be required for an "acceptance test".