Solvent Loss - N2 Purge
Solvent Loss - N2 Purge
(OP)
I have a 10,000 gal batch distillation pot with 4 receivers operating 24/7. Currently I have an N2 purge on pot and all receivers. When fractionating (THF @ atmospheric pressure) our solvent losses are enormous (condenser discharge 65F) - no secondary. All vent lines tie into a vent header and knock out pot. I am interested in installing pressure control on this system to pad vessel - solvent losses would then be limited to expansion and displacement. My plan for this is to remove N2 purge from equipment and install an N2 control valve and vent control valve on vent from KO pot. Ideally I would like to control from around 2 in.w.c. to 8 in.w.c. (N2 closes @ 2 and vent begins to open @ 8) - any experience with this? Is this tight control range realistic? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.





RE: Solvent Loss - N2 Purge
RE: Solvent Loss - N2 Purge
Personally I would purge the system with N2 at startup and then shut it off. (This does require a pressure tight system) Then I would just sweep the vents of the vessels to keep other material in the vent headers from entering. This would stop a large amount of N2 from blinding off the condenser as well.
Just my two cents.
Regards.
StoneCold.
RE: Solvent Loss - N2 Purge