Overview
The Sieve Plate Distillation Column uses perforated plates (sieve trays) through which vapour jets upward into the liquid layer on each tray, creating intimate vapour-liquid contact for mass transfer. The glass column allows visual observation of the vapour-liquid flow patterns, weeping, entrainment, and flooding phenomena at different operating conditions. Students determine Murphree tray efficiency, overall column efficiency, and number of theoretical stages through material balance and McCabe-Thiele analysis. The sieve plate column is more commonly used in modern industrial distillation than bubble cap columns due to its lower cost and pressure drop.
Specifications
| Column type | glass, sieve plate trays |
| Number of trays | 4 to 8 |
| Column diameter | 50 to 80 mm |
| Hole diameter | 3 to 6 mm |
| Reboiler | electric, 1 to 3 kW |
| Condenser | water cooled |
| Weir height | adjustable |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |