Decanter as a phase separator
Decanter as a phase separator
(OP)
Hello everyone.
I would like to know how is azeotrope in a vapor phase can be condensed and separated by a decanter?The vapor is butanol,water,butyl acrylate and butyl acetate.According to some patents the decanter will form two phases.Butanol and water will be the aqueous phase(where 90% is water).Butyl acrylate,butanol,butyl acetate and a minor portion of water will be the organic phase.I am not sure if settling is based on solubility,gravity,density or just molecular weight.Please help.Thank you.
I would like to know how is azeotrope in a vapor phase can be condensed and separated by a decanter?The vapor is butanol,water,butyl acrylate and butyl acetate.According to some patents the decanter will form two phases.Butanol and water will be the aqueous phase(where 90% is water).Butyl acrylate,butanol,butyl acetate and a minor portion of water will be the organic phase.I am not sure if settling is based on solubility,gravity,density or just molecular weight.Please help.Thank you.
RE: Decanter as a phase separator
Similar mixtures, as yours described, can be decanted by conventional gravity settling vessels, where separation can be improved by colaescer devices such as internal packing mesh, or candle type mesh. Desicion will be a matter of separation efficiency and economics. A small scale lab testing is recommended is you're in the intention of selecting internals to promote separation, in order that you do not get short on design. Important consideration on design is also incondensables presence in the stream.
After decanting you'll be in the requirement to recover the portion of the entrainer(butanol/butyl acetate) that is carried on heavy phase (water) in a separated column, and also you'll be in the requirement on purging a portion of the light phase stream to remove butyl acrylate or lighter components, that eventually will accumulate on overheads and break azeotrope composition at column, before it is refluxed. If incondensables are present you´ll be in the requirement of another cooler and a scrubber prior to venting to your fume collector.
RE: Decanter as a phase separator
There is a good write up on the design of continuous decanters in the Handbook of Separation Techniques.
Basically, you want to slow the velocity of each phase down to a Re less than the transition region. This allows for the dispersed phase to migrate to the bulk. The parameters that matter include all those needed to calculate a Re, settling velocity and coalescence time. Typically you pick a droplet size to suit your needs and perform the calc.
You have a genuine opportunity to understand the rudimentary factors of this design. Work out the details on paper or on a spreadsheet then confirm with a simulation.
RE: Decanter as a phase separator