6.

5 Distillation Column

6.5.1 Theoretical Background

In mechanical design, there are two important parameters which are temperature
and pressure to evaluate the thickness and the stress of material. For the safety
factor of plant , corrosion allowance is added as precaution to avoid any incident
happen . So, for mechanical design, steps taken should be provided as figure 6.27.

Start

Step 1
Determine material selection for design vessel

Step 2
Design suitable temperature and pressure

Step 3

Design stress at design

temperature

Step 4

Determine vessel thickness

Step 5
Find suitable head and closure (ellipsoidal,
torisphere and flat head)

Step 6
Determine total weight for distillation
column
Step 7

Determine wind loading

Step 8

Analysis of stress

Step 9
Determine dimensions for vessel support (skirt
support)
1- buckling
2- skirt support design

Step 10

Determine base ring and anchor bolt

Step 11

Design of stiffness ring

Step 12

Determine piping sizing and manholes column access

1- flange design
2- nozzle thickness

End

Figure 6.5.1 : Flowchart for mechanical design

6.5-1
6.5.1.1 Step 1: Material Selection

The suitability of material for fabrication (particularly welding) as well as the

compatibility of the material with the process environment are two important factors
that must be considered during material selection. Selection of materials for
construction is also required based on the characteristics of chemical properties and
mechanical properties. For distillation column in our plant, the material of
construction chosen for this application is carbon steel and it is the most commonly
used as corrosion resistant materials in the chemical industry. Otherwise, The
operating condition such as temperature and pressure is not critical, thus the
material has the ability to retain their strength.

In addition, carbon steel has many advantages such as:

1 Readily available
2 Low cost
3 Corrosion resistant to feed and product
4 Easily fabricated
5 High strength

6.5.1.2 Step 2: Design Temperature and Pressure

The design temperature at which the design stress is evaluated should be taken as
the maximum working temperature of the material, with due to allowance for any
uncertainty involved in predicting vessel wall temperature. In addition, by increasing
temperature, the strength of metal will decrease. Based on carbon steel, at
temperature condition below 500C, the design stress is 135 N/mm2. However, when
temperature increased until 1000C, the design stress decrease and become 125
N/mm2. Therefore, in this work the design temperature is 100 0C which is higher than
operating temperature because to make precaution and avoid any problem during
process at distillation column.

Generally, for a vessel under internal pressure, the recommended design pressure
to be taken 5 and 10% above the operating pressure to avoid any spurious
operating during minor process upsets.
Thus, in this work design pressure was taken as 10% above the operating pressure

6.5-2
PD = (operating pressure, P -1) x 1.1 (6.5.1)

6.5.1.3 Step 3: Design stress

It is necessary to determine the maximum allowable stress that the material can
withstand without failure under operating condition. For material chosen, which is
carbon steel, the design stress (maximum allowable stress) is 125 N/mm2 at
temperature below than 1000C.

6. 5.1.4 Step 4: Determine Vessel Thickness

The design of wall thickness, e, was determined by using this formula:

e = P i Di
2Jf 0.2Pi (6.5.2)
where,
e = minimum thickness of the plate required
Pi = internal pressure, N/mm2

Di = internal diameter,
f = design stress, 125 N/mm2
J = joint factor (J = 0.85)

Minimum thickness are required for pressure loading. Table 6.5.1 shown minimum
practical wall thickness required based on the diameter of the column. The values
include corrosion allowance of 2 mm. (Sinnot 2005)

Table 6.5.1: Minimum wall thickness required based on diameter column.

Vessel Diameter (m) Minimum thickness (mm)
1 5
1 to 2 7
2 to 2.5 9
2.5 to 3.0 10
3.0 to 3.5 12

The strength of welded joint will depend on the types of joint and the quality of the
welding. By welding joint at 1.0 implies that the welded point is equally as strong as
the virgin plate but this can achieved by radio graphing the complete weld length.

6.5-3
Therefore, it most expensive than others because it needed to provide radio
graphing. So, by choosing welding joint as 0.85, it can reduce cost for welded join
because it only spot examine only.

6. 5.1.5 Step 5: Head and Closure

For the design distillation column, thickness of head and dome ends are required to
be calculated. There are 3 types of heads available which is ellipsoidal head,
torisphere head and flat head. The best head is chosen based on their thickness.

Ellipsoidal head
e = PD
i i

2Jf 0.2Pi (6.5.3)

where,
e = minimum thickness of the plate required
Pi = internal pressure, N/mm2

Di = internal diameter, m
f = design stress, 125 N/mm2
J = joint factor (J = 0.85 for ellipsoidal head)

Torisphere head

For torisphere head, the calculation obtained based on below equation below :
Knuckle radius, RK = 6 % RC (6.5.4)
RC = DI (6.5.5)

A head of this size would be formed by pressing: no joint, so J=0.85 (spot

radiograph)
The stress concentration factor is a function of the knuckle and crown radii.
e PR C
i C S

2 fJ P (C S 0.2)
i (6.5.6)

where,
Cs = Stress concentration
factor for torispherical head
(6.5.7)
= (1/4)(3 + (Rc / Rk)0.5)
Rc =Crown radius
Rk =Knuckle radius.
6.5-4
Flat head

By using full gasket Cp =0.4 and De = bolt circle diameter,

The minimum thickness required is
 P
e C p De i

f (6.5.8)
where,

Cp = a design constant, dependent on the edge strain.

De = nominal pipe diameter.
f = design stress.
6. 5.1.6 Step 6: Total weight of column

The column also subjected to other loads such as vessel shell, plate fittings and
weight of liquid to fill into the vessel. Total weight of column can be calculated by
using formula:

Dead weight of vessel

Wv = 240 x CV x Dm x (Hv + 0.8 Dm) t x 10-3 (6.5.9)

where,

Wv = total weight of shell, excluding internal fitting such as plates

Cv = a factor to account for the weight of many ways and internal
support. (In this case for distillation column ,Cv 1.15)
Dm = mean diameter of vessel (Dc + t x 10-3)
Hv = height or length between tangent lines
t = wall thickness

Weight of insulation
Mineral wool was chosen as the insulation material around the volume due to their
properties as insulator to absorb heat better than other.
Mineral wool density = 130 kg/m3

Thickness of insulation = 75mm

Equation (5.55) shows the approximate volume of insulation:

Vi = thickness of insulation (6.5.10)

x Dm x Hv x
6.5-5
6.5.1.7 Step 7: Wind loading

Due to height of the distillation column, wind loading is a very important factors to be
calculated. This factor is also to be considered and calculated based on location and
weather surroundings. A wind loading must be designed to withstand the highest
wind speed that is likely to encounter at the site during the life of plant. For
preliminary design, a standard wind speed use was 160 km/h.
Dynamic wind pressure = 1 x Cd x a x Uw2 where Hv = (column heigh
2
For smooth cylinder = 0.05 Uw2

Mean diameter, including insulation, Deff = Dc + Dc t

Loading per unit length, Fw = Pw Deff
Bending moment at bottom tangent line,Mx:
(6.5.11) (6.5.13)
(6.5.14)
(6.5.12)
Hv2
Mx = F
w
2 (6.5.15)

6.5.1.8 Step 8 : Analysis of stress

longitudinal pressure stress

L = PD
4t (6.5.16)
where,
P = operating pressure (N/mm2)
D = column diameter (m)
t = thickness (m)
Circumferential pressure stress

h = PD
2t (6.5.17)

Dead weight of stress,

Dead weight stresses is very important for tall columns such as distillation column.
This stress can be either tensile stress for points below the column support or
compressive for points above the support. Equation (6.88) can be used to calculated
the dead weight stress.
6.5-6
w = W
V

(Dc t)t (6.5.18)

where,

WV = total weight (kN)

DC = column diameter

T = thickness

Bending stress
Bending stress will be caused by the following bending condition:
1 Wind load on tall self supported vessels
2 Seismic loads on tall column
3 Dead weight and wind loading on piping and equipment.
Bending stress can be calculated using this formula:

b M D
= t
c

IV 2 (6.5.19)

D
where, 4
Di
IV =
64
0
4

(6.5.20)
D0 = (Di 2t) (6.5.21)

6.5.1.9 Step 9 : Vessel support (design of skirt support)

The function of a skirt in a distillation column design is to support a column to

make it stabilize. Skirt support is depending on the size, shape and weight of
the vessel, the design pressure and temperature, the vessel location and
arrangement, and the internal and external fittings.

A skirt support consists of cylindrical or conical shell welded to the

base of the vessel. A flange at the bottom of the skirt transmits load to the
foundations. The skirt may also be welded to the bottom level of the vessel.

Approximate weight, W

xDc (g) (6.5.22)

(HV ) xL
4 6.5-7
Bending moment at base skirt:
=
FW x (Column height + skirt support height)2 (6.5.23)
2
The resultant stresses in the skirt support will be:
S (tensile) = (6.5.24)
bs ws

S (compressive) = (6.5.25)
bs ws

where,
 = bending stress in the skirt
bs

= dead weight stress in the skirt

ws

4M s
bs =
(Ds ts )ts Ds (6.5.26)

where,
M = maximum bending moment, evaluated at the base
s
of the skirt (due to the wind, seismic and eccentric load).
= inside diameter of the skirt, at the base.
Ds
= skirt thickness
ts
 ws (test) = W
(Ds ts )ts Ds
(6.5.27)

6.5.1.10 Step 10 : Base ring and anchor bolt

The loads carried by the skirt are transmitted to the foundation slab by the
skirt base ring (bearing plate). The moment produced by wind and other lateral
loads will tend to overturn the vessel; this will be opposed by the couple set up by
the weight of the vessel and the tensile load in the anchor bolts. A variety of base
ring designs is used with skirt supports.

Area of one bolts can obtained by follow the equation:

1 4M s
A W (6.5.28)
b N f Db
b b

6.5-8
where,
Ab = area of one bolt at the root of the thread, mm2

Nb = number of bolts

f = maximum allowable bolt stress, N/mm2; typically

b

design value 125 N/mm2

Ms = bending (overturning) moment at the base, Nm
W = weight of the vessel, N
D = bolt circle diameter, m
b

Bolt root diameter 4

(6.5.29)
=

Total compressive load on the base ring per unit length,

4MS W
F (6.5.30)
D 2
b DS
S
where,

F = the compressive load on the base ring, N/m

b

DS = skirt diameter, m
Thus,, the minimum width of base ring, Lb
F
Lb b 1 (6.5.31)
3
fc 10
where,
Lb = base ring width, mm

fc = the maximum allowable bearing pressure on the concrete foundation

pad,which will depend on the mix used, and will typically range from

3.5 to 7 N/mm2 (500 to 1000 psi)

Actual width required =Lr+ts+50mm (6.5.32)

Minimum thickness,

tb Lr 3f'c (6.5.33)
fr
where,
Lr = the distance from the edge of the skirt to the outer edge of the ring,
mm
6.5-9
 tb = base ring thickness, mm

f'c = actual bearing pressure on base, N/mm2

f = allowable design stress in the ring material, typically 140 N/mm2
r

6.5.1.11 Step 11 : Design of stiffness ring

Stiffness is the ability to resist bending and buckling. It is a function of the elastic
modulus of
the material and the shape of the cross-section of the member (the second moment
of area).
The load each ring:
Fr PeLs (6.5.34)
where,
P = external pressure
e

Ls = spacing between the ring

The second moment of area of the ring to avoid buckling is given by,

PCLS 24 E lr
3
Dr factor of safety (6.5.35)
where,

l = Second moment of area of the ring cross-section

r

D = diameter of the ring (approximately equal to the

r
shell outside diameter)
For the rectangular section, the second moment of area is given by:
3
l breath depth (6.5.36)
12

The critical pressure to cause buckling Pc is given;

= ( )3
0

(6.5.37)
6.5 .1.12 Piping sizing and manholes column access

Manholes column access

6.5-10
 Manholes are design for entrance into vessel of distillation column. It should be
position so that it can be accessed to the internal parts of the column. Usually it is
located above each support plate. A suggested by Henry Z. Kister, the diameters
should be in range of 0.41m and 0.61m. Thus, in this case the diameter chosen is
0.6m so that the personnel which are bigger that the average person can do the
maintenance job.
Source: Distillation Column Design, McGraw Hill, 1992, Henry
Z. Kister.

Piping sizing

Distillation column needs three pipes to nozzles for feed flow into the vessel and
vapor and liquid outflow from the distillation column. The selection of pipe such as
size and material will effect the performance of inflow and outflow of the component
from the distillation column. So, for the design of pipe sizing, optimum diameter must
be determined earlier. For carbon steel, the optimum diameter of flange is given by
equation (6.108) :
d,optimum =
293G0.53 0.37
(6.5.38)
where,
G = mass flow rate in kg/s

mix
= total density of components in kg/m3

Nozzle thickness, t

Nozzle thickness can be calculated by follow equation (6.109):

=
20 +
(6.5.39)

where,
=,2

= , 125

6.5.2 Mechanical Design Calculation

6.5-11
6.5.2.1 Step 1: Material Selection

The material chosen to design distillation column is carbon steel whereby carbon
steel more cheaper than other material. In addition, mineral wool of 75 mm thick is
used for insulation.

6.5.2.2 Step 2: Design temperature and pressure

As mentioned previously at theoretical background sections, the temperature chosen

were at 1000C which is higher than operating temperature because to make
precaution and avoid any problem during process at distillation column. The design
stress for carbon steel at 1000C is 125 N/mm2.

Design Pressure

Operating pressure at distillation column is 120 kPa whereby this pressure operate
at feed stream. By take design as 10% above operating pressure. By equation 6.70:

= (1.2-1) bar x 1.1

1.01325 105 / 2
(1 )2
= 0.22
1.01325
(1000 )2

=0.022 N/mm2
This pressure value is small because the operating condition for distillation column
is 1.2 bar.

6.5.2.3 Step 3 : Design stress

The design stress for carbon steel at 1000C is 125 N/mm2.

6.5.2.4 Step 4: Determine vessel thickness

From equation 6.71, the vessel thickness obtained is :

PxD
t= c

2 des P

6.5-12
 0.022 2 (1372.827 )

=
125

2 (0.022

2 )
2

= 0.1208 mm

However, based on table 6.28 at theoretical background sections, the minimum

thickness for distillation column at diameter 1.37 m is 7mm. so, the new thickness
was taken 7mm.

6.5.2.5 Step 5: Determine Suitable Head And Closure

There are 3 types of heads available which is ellipsoidal head, torisphere head and
flat head. It is need to obtain the thickness for each types of head. The best head is
chosen based on lowest thickness.

Ellipsoidal head
From equation 6.72, the, minimum thickness required:

0.022 ( 1372.827 )
2

e=

2(125 0.2(0.022 )

2) 2

= 0.121 mm
Add 2 mm for corrosion allowance;
= (0.121 + 2) mm
= 2.121 mm
So, thickness for the domed end with ellipsoidal head is 3.12 mm.

Torisphere head

Crown radius = Rc =D =1372.827mm

Knuckle radius, 6% from Rk = 0.06 x 1372.827 = 82.370mm
Ratio of (Rk/RC ) should not be less than 0.06 to avoid buckling (Sinnot, 2005). From equation
(6.76)

1 R
C 3

C

S
4 R
K

6.5-13
= 1 ( 3 + 1372.827

4 82.370

Cs = 1.77

By using equation (6.75) .The thickness by using torispherical head is,

= (0.022 1372.827 1.77)
 2 125 0.85 + 0.022 (1.77 0.2)

e =0.252 mm

Add 2 mm for corrosion allowance;

= (0.252 +2 ) mm
= 2.252 mm.

Flat head

The minimum thickness required for flat head is:

e C p De Pi
f

0.022
= 0.4 1372.8 ( )
125

e = 7.285 mm
Add 2 mm for corrosion allowance;
= ( 7.285+ 2) mm
= 9.285 mm.
From above calculation, it shown that the most economical types of head that being
used is ellipsoidal head because it need less thickness compared to others head.

6.5.2.6 Step 6: Determine total weight

Dead weight of stress

From equation (6.79), the value of dead weight stress is:

Therefore,
Dm= (0.007 m + 1.373 m)

6.5-14
 = 1.3798 m
Hv = 15.0564 m
Wv = 240 x 1.15 x 1.3798 (15.0564m + 0.8 (1.3798m)) x 7 x10-3
= 43.08 kN
Weight of plates

Plate area = D 2
4
(1.3732)
=
4

= 1.48 m2
Weight of plate = 1.2 kN/m2 x 1.48 m2
= 1.78 kN

(Where 1.2 is factor for contacting plates, steel including typical liquid loading in
kN/m2)
For 25 plates = 25 x 1.78 kN
= 44.38 kN

Weight of insulation
Mineral wool density = 130 kg/m3

From equation (6.80),

Approximate volume of insulation
Weight
Double this value to allow for fitting
So, for Total weight (Wv),
= x 1.38 m x 14.37 m x (75x10-3) m
= 4.67 m3
= 4.67 m3 x 130 kg/m3 x 9.81 m/s2
= 5955.04 N or 5.95 kN
= 5955.04 N x 2
= 11910.1 N

Shell = 43.08 kN
Plates = 44.38 kN
Insulation = 11.91 kN
Total = 99.37 kN

6.5-15
6.5.2.7 Step 7: Determine wind loading

This factor is also to be considered and calculated based on location and

weather surroundings. A wind speed of 160 km/h (100mph) was used for
preliminary design.

By apply equation (6.81) and (6.82),

Design for 160 km/h, Pw = 0.05 x (160 km/h)2

= 1280 N/m2
Therefore, take wind pressure as 1280 N/m2
From equation (6.83). it needed to calculate mean diameter, including insulation
= 1.373 m+1.373 m (0.007 +75 x 10-3)m
= 1.485 m
From equation (6.84),
Loading per unit length, Fw = Pw Deff
= 1280 N/m2 x 1.485m
= 1901.31 N/m
Bending moment at bottom tangent line,Mx can be calculated by using equation
(6.85)
Where Hv = 14.37 m (column height)
Hv2
Mx = F
w
2

15.0564

= 2

1901.31 N/m x ( )
2

= 196307.4 Nm

6.5.2.8 Step 8 : Analysis of stress

Longitudinal Pressure
From equation (6.86), longitudinal pressure stress can obtained:
L = PD
4t
0.022 (1.373 103)
=
4(7)

= 1.079 N/mm2

6.5-16
For circumferential pressure stress calculation, equation (6.87) can apply:

h = PD
3
2t
0.022 (1.373 10 )
=
2(7)
=
2.16 N/ mm2

Dead weight stress,

From equation (6.88), the dead weight stress calculated is :

 3
= 97.544 10
 3.14 1.373 103 + 7 (7)

= 3.22 N/mm2 (compressive stress)

Bending stress,

The bending stress will be compressive or tensile, depending on location and are given by, by
following equations (6.89), (6.90) and (6.91), value of bending stress calculated is :

b M D
= t
c

2
IV
D0 = (Di 2t)

= 1372.83 mm + 2 (7 mm)
= 1386.83 mm
IV =
4 4
(1386.83 1372.83 )
64

= 7.2 x 109 mm4

Therefore,

= + 196307.39 1372.83
( + 7)
2
7.2x 109

=
0.0189 N/mm2

6.5-17
The resultant of longitudinal stress is the summation of longitudinal stresses,
dead weight and bending stress.
z=L + w + b
Z (Upwind) = 4.314 N/mm2
Z (Downwind) = 2.156 N/mm2

The greatest difference between the principal stresses will be on the downwind side:
h z (downwind ) = 4.314 N/mm2
Design stress = 125 N/mm2 (for carbon steel)
The value of differences between the h z (downwind ) is well below the

maximum allowable design stress. So, design parameter acceptable and carbon
steel can used for design distillation column.

4.314 4.314

2.16 2.16C
Conde

Up-wind Down-wind

6.5.2.9 Step 9 : Vessel support (design of skirt support)

Elastic stability (buckling)

Under certain loading condition failure of a structure can occur not through yielding,
but by buckling or wrinkling. Buckling results in a gross and sudden change of shape
of the structure .This situations occur because lack of sufficient stiffness to withstand
the load. The stiffness is depending on the elastic properties and cross sectional

6.5-18
area of vessel. Elastic buckling is the important criterion in the design of thin walled
vessel under external pressure.

c = 5
2 x 10 (t / Do) (6.5.40)

7
5
= 2 10
1386.83

= 1009.5 N/mm2

Therefore, a critical buckling stress is 1009.5 N/mm2.

When the vessel is not under pressure (where the maximum stress occur):
Maximum stress = w h
= (3.22 + 0.018) N/mm2
= 3.24 N/mm2
The maximum stress is well below the critical buckling stress. Therefore, design is
satisfactory.

Design for the skirt support.

Material of construction for skirt support is carbon steel.

Design stress = 125 N/mm2
Youngs modulus = 200000 N/mm2

The maximum dead weight load on the skirt will occurs when the vessel is full with mixture
compound. By following equation (6.92), approximate weight is :
Approximate weight = xD 2
(g)
x(HV ) xL
4

803.56 9.81
= 2 15.0564
( 1.37 )
4
3 2

= 1749960 N or 174.96 kN
Total weight = (174.96 + 99.37) kN
= 274.33 kN
Wind loading from previous calculation = 1901.31 N/m
Take skirt support as 3 m height,
Bending moment at base skirt can obtained by following equation (6.93) :
=
1.901 kN x (Column height + skirt support height)2
2
= 1.901 (15.0564 + 3 )2 2

6.5-19
 = 154.95 kNm2

The resultant stresses in the skirt support will calculated by following equation (6.94), (6.95) and
(6.96):

S (tensile) =
bs ws

S (compressive) =
bs ws

= 4M s
bs
(Ds ts )ts Ds
Therefore,

= 4( 1.54 105)

1372.83 + 7 1372.83 (7)

2
= 14.79 N/mm

ws (test)= W

(Ds ts )ts Ds
1749960
=
1372.83 + 7 7

=
57.57 N/mm2

w oeating
99.37 103
=
1372.83 + 7 7

=
3.27 N/mm2
Maximum s (compressive);

= bs ws
= 14.79 N/mm2 + 57.57 N/mm2
= 72.36 N/mm2
Maximum s (tensile):

= bs ws
= 14.79 N/mm2 3.27 N/mm2
= 11.52 N/mm2

Take joint factor, J =0.85:

Criteria for design:

6.5-20
 s (maximum, tensile) < f s J sin
14.79 < 125 x 0.85 x sin 900
14.79 < 106.25
t s
s (maximum, compressive) < 0.125E sin

Ds
72.36 < 0.125 200000
1.5984

(sin 9 00)
235522

72.36 < 127.474

Both criteria are satisfied. Add 2 mm for corrosion allowance. Therefore the design
thickness is (7 mm +2 mm )= 9mm.

6.5.2.10 Step 10: Base Ring and Anchor Bolts Design

Diameter of bolt, DB = 200 mm

Diameter of skirt, DS = 1372.83
Approximate pitch circle diameter,DP
Dp = Ds + 2(t +tinsulation)
Dp = 1372.83 + 2(7 +75)
= 1536.83 mm

Circumference of bolt circle =1536.83

Number of bolts required, at minimum recommended bolt spacing
1536.83
= = 8 bolts
600

Take bolt design stress =125N/mm2

Ms=154.95 kNm
From previous calculation, W=99.37 kN

So, by following equation (6.98):

1 4Ms
A W
b N f Db
b b

1 6
4 154.95 10 )
= ( 99.37 10 )
3

8 125 1536.83

Ab = 303.93 mm2

303.93 4
Bolt root diameter =

= 19.67 mm

6.5-21
From equation (6.100), total compressive load on the base ring per unit length is:,

4MS
F
b
2
W
D D
S

S
Total compressive load on the base ring per unit length
4 154.95 103 99.37 103
=( + )
1.37
1.37 2

= 1.06 x106 N/m

Taking the bearing pressure as 5 N/mm2
Lb Fb 1
3
fc 10
1.06 106
=

5 103

= 212.104 mm

So, actual width required =Lr+ts+50mm=102+7+50=159 mm

Actual bearing pressure on concrete foundation:

=
1.06 106 159 103

= 6.67 N/mm2

Minimum thickness for bolt design is:,

tb Lr 3f'c
fr

3 6.67
= 102

140

= 38.55 mm

Skirt to be welded with outer diameter of column shell. So, the column was support
properly.

6.5.2.11 Step 11: Design of Stiffness Ring

6.5-22
As from calculation carried out in section 6.2.8, the plate spacing was taken to be
0.5 m. So, by taken dimension of rings:
Rings = 75 mm wide
Rings = 10 mm deep
Plate spacing = 0.5 m

Take design pressure as 1.32 bar external or 1.32 x 106 N/m2

From equation (6.104), the load each ring is:
Fr PeLs
So, the load per unit length of the ring
= (0.22 106)(0.5 )

= 1.1 x105 N/m

By taking Youngs modulus, E = 200000 N/mm2
= 2.0 x 1011 N/m2
Factor of safety =6
The second moment of area of the ring to avoid buckling is given by equation
(6.105):

PCLS 24 E lr
3
Dr factor of safety
11

5 24 2.0 10 2 ()

1.1 10 / =

(1.373 )3(6)
7 4
= 3.56 10

For the rectangular section, the second moment of area is followed by equation
(6.106):

So, lr for the support rings

=( 10 103 (75 103)3) 12

= 3.52 x 10-7 m4

And the support rings is adequate size to be considered as a stiffening ring,

0.5
=
1.373

= 0.364
where,

6.5-23
 L = plate spacing
D0 = internal diameter

1.372
=
10

= 137.28
where,

t = column shell mean thickness (10 mm)

From Figure 3 from Appendix

Kc = 90

Therefore, the critical pressure to cause buckling Pc is given;

= ( )3
0
=
90 (2.0 1011)(137210.83)3

=
6.957 x 106 N/m2
This is above the maximum design pressure of 1.32 x 106 N/m2. So, design of the
support rings to support the plate is satisfied.

6.5.2.12 Step 12: Determine piping sizing and manholes column access

By designing of column opening, optimum diameter of flange can be calculate by

using equation (6.108).

d,optimum =

Feed inlet
293
G = 1.99 kg/h = 5.54 kg/s
mix = 613.426 kg/m3
Therefore, d = 293 (5.54 kg/s) 0.53 (613.42 kg/m3)
= 70.228 mm

Nominal pipe size = 80 mm

Table 6.5.2 shown standard dimensions for piping sizing at feed inlet
Flange d1 88.9

6.5-24
 D 190
B 16
h1 42
Raised d4 128
F 3
Bolting M16
Drilling No 4
d2 18
K 150
d3 102
Neck h2 10
R 8
Top Column Outlet

G = 2.28 kg/s

mix = 467.623 kg/m3

Therefore, d = 293(2.28 kg/s) 0.53 (467.623 kg/m3)
= 47.47 mm

Nominal pipe size = 50 mm

Table 6.5.3 shown standard dimensions for piping sizing at top column outlet

flange d1 60.3
D 140
b 14
h1 38
raised d4 90
f 3
bolting M12
Drilling No 4
d2 14
k 110
d3 74
Neck h2 8

6.5-25
 R 6

Bottom Column Outlet

G = 3.26 kg/s

mix = 803.559 kg/m3

Therefore, d = 293 (3.26 kg/s) 0.53 (803.559 kg/m3)
= 47.44 mm

Table 6.5.4 shown standard dimensions for piping sizing at bottom column outlet
Flange d1 60.3
D 140
B 14
h1 38
Raised d4 90
F 3
Bolting M12
Drilling No 4
d2 14
K 110
d3 74
Neck h2 8
R 6

Nozzle Thickness, t

By using equation (6.109):

At feed 0.132 70.23
=
20 125 + 0.132

= 0.00371 m
9 = 0.00371 + 9
= 9.004

So, thickness of nozzle is 9.004 mm.

6.5-26
At top 0.088 47.47
=
20 125 + 0.088

= 0.00167 m
9 = 0.00371 + 9
= 9.002

So, thickness of nozzle is 9.002 mm.

At bottom 0.11 47.44

=
20 125 + 0.11

= 0.00209 m
9 = 0.00209 + 9
= 9.02

So, thickness of nozzle is 9.02 mm.

6.5.2.13 CONCLUSION

For mechanical design, it concludes that operating pressure and temperature are
0.022 N/mm2 and 100 0C respectively. By taken carbon steel as material of column,
the column thickness obtained is 7 mm. The detail dimensions of mechanical design
was presented in table 6.5.5

Table 6.5.5: Mechanical Design Specification

Internal Diameter, DC 1.373 m
Operating pressure 0.022 N/mm2
Material of column Carbon steel
Operating temperature 100 0C
Tray type Sieve tray
Insulation column Mineral wool 75mm thickness
No of trays 25
Column Height 15.0564 m
Column thickness 7mm

6.5-27
6.5-28