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Montz
dividing
wall columns
Separation
technology takes off
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Dividing wall
columns have been in use in production of the chemical industry for the
last 18 years. Montz were the first to supply columns of this type and
since then have constantly championed the development of this
technology. With over 60 dividing wall columns, Montz is the world's
leading equipment supplier for this column technology.
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Dividing
wall columns
Dividing wall columns can be used wherever multicomponent mixtures have
to be separated into pure fractions. They are particularly suited to
obtain pure medium boiling fractions. The separation of a
three-component mixture into its pure fractions in conventional systems
requires a sequential system with at least two columns or main columns
with side columns. With a dividing wall column this task can be solved
in only one apparatus.
A vertical wall is introduced in the middle part of the column,
creating a feed and draw-off section in this part of the column. The
dividing wall, which is designed to be gas and liquid-sealed, permits
the low-energy separation of the low and high boiling fractions in the
feed section. The medium boiling
fraction is concentrated in the draw-off part of the dividing wall
column.
This arrangement saves a second column. The column shell, internals,
evaporator and condenser for a second column are not needed. Control
and maintenance work is significantly reduced.
Dividing wall columns are an alternative to multi-column systems that
can help to save investment and operating costs. Investment costs are
cut by 20 - 30%, operating costs by around 25%. |
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Comparison
of two column systems for three pure products
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The unfixed dividing wall
The unfixed dividing wall has proved
to be very advantageous and versatile.
The patent pending design (co-operation
agreement with BASF AG) offers significant
advantages over fixed, welded-in walls.
Advantages of the unfixed dividing wall
 Insensitive
to poor manufacturing
tolerances of the column shell
Fewer
manholes and less weight
Faster
and more precise assembly and
installation of internals
Minimized
welding
Simple
and low-cost revamping of
conventional columns to dividing wall
technology
The
dividing wall can be removed during
revamping and inspection
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Internals for the dividing wall column
Montz has significantly improved the planning and operational
reliability of the columns, particularly in the field of the internals
for the dividing wall sections, by adapting the proven delivery program
of structured packings over the past years. Thus, all Montz packings
have a patented wall wiper system that offers selfadjusting and
centering of the packing layers, minimised liquid wall bypass and thus
an improved separation efficiency in conjunction with the unfixed
dividing wall. Wire mesh packings of the type A3-500 and
metal sheet
packings in a standard design as well as Type M/MN
high-performance
packings are in successful operation. Adapted liquid
collection and liquid distribution
systems complete the range of internals.
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Control
The correct operation of dividing wall columns requires a control of
the liquid distribution ratio between the halves of the dividing wall.
Montz reflux
splitters offer the necessary flexibility and operational
reliability, enable small overall heights and work much more precisely
than valve and orifice plate control systems.
Competence
The dividing wall column concept is used today as a standard tool in
thermal separation technology. Dividing wall columns are in successful
use in the field of fine vacuum through to pressure distillation.
Operating pressures of 2 mbar to 10 bar have been realised. Column
dimensions for pilot columns achieve a diameter of 40 millimetres with
overall heights of 6 metres and more. Production columns are built with
diameters of 4 metres and column heights of 70 metres. Dividing wall
columns are used to distil various product classes, from normal purity
by requirements through to E-grade chemicals.
Montz Process Engineering provides the necessary expertise in this
innovative technology and helps you to design your dividing wall
columns with the engineering of column components through to the
planning of the overall distillation system.
Your advantage
Minimized work by ordering the complete system from one vendor.
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Dividing
wall column DN3600 equipted with
Montz internals
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Julius
Montz GmbH, Postbox
530,
D-40705 Hilden, Tel. 0049/ 2103/ 894-0, Fax 0049/ 2103/ 894-77
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