Packed Bed Distillation Column

Overview

The Packed Bed Distillation Column uses a bed of random packing (Raschig rings, Pall rings) or structured packing over which liquid trickles down and vapour rises, achieving vapour-liquid equilibrium through continuous counter-current contact. It is the most common column type in modern industrial distillation for its low pressure drop and high capacity. Students measure HETP (Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate), pressure drop, flooding velocity, and separation efficiency for a binary mixture like ethanol-water. The apparatus allows comparison of different packing types and supports the study of column hydraulics and mass transfer simultaneously.

Specifications