Successfully Specify

Three-Phase
Separators
Here is a stepwise
procedure Jor
designing
Uquid/liquid/vapor
separators.
WI"" O. _ , ... , .... Willi ...
Y. s""'.1<,

I
\ is "ften necessary to "'parale Iwo
immi",iblt liquids. ,he light and
l>eavy phases. and a yapot. A typ;-
cal example in petroleum refining
is t he separruion of waler. and a hydro-
carbon liquid and vapor. Linle ha$
bun publisll<:d OIl thl'ee"pbas.e (liq-
uidlliquidlvapor) .epaTOlion. with
most in(,mna,ion "vail.ble only in
corporate de.ign fil ... Thi .nick
allcmp!< to alleviate this . i'"aliOf] by
co""ring ,he basic. of !httt_ph= ""I""
"",tOT design, Tbe authors provide a
Step-by-Step procedure and worked
,,<II cxampleJ, Further. tile example.
"ffer guidance 00 making ..... mplions
for tile calculalions.
Selecting thre ..... haae separators
As with two-phase designs,
phase units can be either venical or bor-
irontal. a1tboogh they typically"", bori-
rom.! (see Figure. I and 2). lbe vtni-
cal orielltation. Figure 1, is Only used if
!here i. a Inge amoun, of vapor !O be
separa!<:d from small lmOUnl of the:
ligh' and beavy liquid 10-20'% by
weigllt). UnfortunalOly. !bere are no
'imple rule, for "parlltor .. I""tion.
Someti_s. boIh eoofigunuion, sboIIld
be ",11Iualed 10 <Iocide which is m<lI"t:
economioal. Funher. the 1,"';1.\>1. plot
.pace (footprint) may be . factOf.
The des.i8l1 of threepM.", separators
is similar !O thtir ,,, ... ph.>,,, counter
parts. except thai the liqu.id oection dif
fen. fur the: vertical type. I baffle com
monly the liquid "'paration
!18 Distillation a nd O\her Industrial Separations
sc.cti"" calm to p<"OnIOIe the ",,,anllion.
"There are different varia,ions of 1>00"_
izontal tllJtt..phase vapor_l iquid separa-
'ors. T1Ie liquid ",,,.ration .....,lion is
","ally a variation of a device 10 provide
interface 1.,01 eontml. which may
include. boot Of "..,ir. A boot typiCal_
ly is speCified when the vohune of heavy
liquid is IIOC substantial (<; 1S-2O% of
total liquid by ""'igllt). while. weir is
u..:d wben !be volume is substantial
1bese horizontal sepantor$ are iliuMrat
ed in Figure 2. T1Ie buocke'and_weir
type de,ip is us.ed when inlOrface 1.,..,1
control ""'Y be diffi<."Uit. such as ,,ith
he","), oil. Of ,,-hen large amounts of ...
emul,i"" Of a paraffin are p"".n' (I)
Stok ' law applies
Separ.l.!ing a ''lIjlOf from alight liquid
(two-pt.ase "'pan,ion) ha. been covered
in a previouS artide (2) and will not be
di..:us.scd here. HO"i.ver. all necessary
infOrmation fOf performing this pan of
!be cakulation is provided here_ T1Ie fol-
lowing discussion cm"en the "par:1ti""
of light and heavy liquid.>.
T1Ie flow of ri.ing light droplets in
the !>ea,), liquid phase or ",uling buvy
droplets in the ligbtliqui<l ph.", i. coo-
,idered laminar and is governed by
Sulk., law:
'"
wbert 1.488 converts viscosity of the
,
.. m"", diffi
cult (,"qu i re.
"""'" time) to .. t
tic til<: drople(1
out of the contino
UOU$ ph.se with
the greater vis
rolity. since U
T
is
lower, Practicall y
spcaking. U
r
is
typically limited
ill oaloulatioll'
to 10 i n./ mi n
maximum.
F..- horiWlltal separators ",jth a
give" lhe beigh1$ or the light
and heavy liquids are as.I-Urned "" that
the c"",sectional are. can be calcu-
lated. WIth the ''''por disengagement
arc. set by guideli nes. the length'
required by holdup requi"'mcn(1 and
vaporlliquid separation are calculated.
Then. with lhe assumed height< of the
light and heavy liquid. and calculated
.... 1 ..... of ... uling .. elociti"", the ... t_
tling time. "'" calculated.
Fizun I. . .. _ on..,.. ""etI .. ith hith
--"', ..
For 'cnic:al sep-
oratots. !be diame
te, requin:d f",
vapor disengage-
ment is calcuLo"'"
H in oor previoos
""iele (2). [n si>. -
ing a separalOr. !be
beigh1$ of !be light
and beavy liquids
ore HSurned. and
!be .... ling , .. loci
ties and .. "ling
time. a,e then
calculaled.
1l>e actu.1 re.idence times for th.
light and he .,y liquid, are .uboe
qucntly cakul.ted andcompared WIth
the required .. llling . a, in ,he
von;"al cose. If the residence tinle.
are not greater than lhe requirnl set_
tling ti"",$, tben either the diameter
sI100ld be inrn:ascd or. for a giwn
diameter. ' he length should be
increased (liquid separati"" i. ron_
!rolling). In the subsequent design
procedure . the lauer 'PP"'IICh is
used. along ",ith the pr<X;edure, di ...
oussed in OUr previous paper for
vapor/liquid separation /2/.
The followi ng deSign procedu",s
.nd heuristiCS are . resull of. review
of literature """",e. and """"pled
industrial design guidelines.
Horil.Onlal design pr<>CfflU"" are pre-
,,",cd for tho fow- separator types
.ho"," in Figure 2. 1l>e horirontal
design procedurOl incorpor"'e opti .
mi:cing ,he diameter and length by
minim;:cing tbe approximate weiglll
of the .hell and held . To add a deJl;R<'
of conservatism ' 0 the des ign. the "01-
"me available in the heads i. ignored.
ph ... from IbI(ft)(.) to oP.
Simplifying Eq. I and <;("wening
the units of the terminal ,euling
"eloxity to in1min from fVs ,c$ull$ in:
U
_ H)6151 X !O ' D.!<P,,- PJ
,- P
'"
whcu 0, il in rIIie.-on< (I mioron
3,28084 x 10"' feet) and Ur- inimin.
Eq. 2 may be rewritten H:
U
_ k,.(p,,- p,)
T- II

k,=2.06151 X 10-' 0;.
Values of k, are given f", SOme sy.
terns in Table I.
From Eq . 1_3. it CIJI be 5Cen thaI
til<: .. tiling .'eioxity of a droplet i.
in"ersely pr<>p<>r!ional to the viscosi
ty of !be continuous phase. Henc . it
The residtncc ti"",. of !be ligb! and
beavy liquH;l. are determined ",,' I. F..-
!be liquid, to .. parale. !be residence
lime of the light liquid mu be greal<T
than lbe time required for !be beavy
droplets to .. "k OOt of the light liquid
phase; and the residence ,ime of ,Il<:
heavy liquid "'u<l be great than tbe
time required for , be ligllt liquid
droplets to ri .. oUl of the beavy liquid
phase. [f conditions"'" not <atis-
fied. then liquid
.. paration is COII-
trolling and the
ve.sel diameter
muSI be inc",8$ed.
Holdup 'ime for
liquids must be:
added to TeSidence
time. The height
of the "enieal
,hree-ph.se .. pa-
rator j, calculated
in lhe lame man
oerasforthetwo-
phase case,
Table 1 Typical values of k. for
IlqUld-ltqUld separatlDnS
.... -
He .. , I'1ooM Mi._
.!'I' ...
--
S.oUtl'f d'.I5 W_ ... , ... ,", m
S," eD'f0.I!i
W" ..... '1<J<Iie

w."



_ 8111y1_
W _

MoIhyl 10.,...

II""", ,1<_

"

...
...
...
...
...
...
Distillation and Other Industrial Separations 219
O,i, in ft
Co-,pI';
U
r
= 0. 313) _ 2.74 ftls
t:I
Qv= 415,000 Ib'h 165.32 fI'/s
3.600 sill X 0.6973 Ibln'
. &jUllIi<m 1,.1
'" = J 4XI65.32fV/s
v 1t 2.05 ftls
10.13 ft
qtuUUJ8 EJ
' , " " .... ,'" - Ull5h I&'''' , 2Il1 10 ...
Q
_ 16.5000 lbJh _ 5 10 n'l .
u - 60 minlh X 53.95 Ihlft' - . mm
E4
-.O ;,tt
_: I ..... ""' . 1..!Il(1SO x
bea.y liquid droplets 10 !hroogh
this di.<,,,,,,,,, (12 in conv.r<ion [""'0<
for ft to in.) :
12111.
IHI.= - U
"'
( II)
3. A.,u_ ,. I fI (minimum)
and calculate tbe senling lin'" for tbe
light liquid dropletS to rise through
thi. distance:
12HH
I UI = -U
"
( 12)
9. If lbere is a bam. plale. calcu
late tbe area:
". Calcul.te (PI. . Pv)
b. Assume fl. (usc 9 in " a mm!
mum) and calculate fI, + H.,
c. Usc Figure) 10 oouin G.
d. Calculate .... '"
See Eq. (13) in lhe box.
e. Assume W
D
_ 4 in.
r. C.lwl .. e WDID.
Q
= 1,300 Iblb = 0.35 ft'lmin
HI. 60 minlhx62. 1l lbln J
E<i.....w.. 5
g. Use Tobl. 3 to detennine .... DI .....
h. Calculato .... '" ("'4)1)'
i. Calculate .... i>
J. Se!e<:t!be larger value of .... I>"
k. Calculate !be ORa of !be bame
plate & sel1li"g ..... for the li",\ liq-
uid: .... I. ..... - .... D"
10. Calculat. the re,i<icnce time
of each ph .... based on the volume,
occupied by the light and heavy
pi\as.es:
8u; = 116:1- (1 4a)
8
He
= HQ"A H (l4b)
"'
If ell "" 1m or 8/tl < lUi" inc .....
the diam<:tcr lnd repeat the J>f'OC<'Iure
from Step 7 (liquid t;<panltion i. con
trolling). NOI. that AH & A.
t t. Calcul.te tbe height of the
lighl liquid abo,. the outi<t (boldup
height) based OIl the =luired holdup
"me:

Chock this .... ith that as ... med
in Step 9b to thai the a,sumed
""I"" is rusonable. If surge ,. "'"
'pccifiod. cakulatc the surge height
based OIl surge lime:
(J6)
T1>e minimum is 6 in.
12. Calcu!"e the h.ight
"'ing the guidch" .. :
H 6 in. minimum.
II ... '" Y, d
N
+ of (2 [t or H,
+ fl).
liD - or. minimum 0(:
36 in. + Y, d,. ( .... ithout mi"
.liminalOl). or
24 in. + !l..dN(with mist o!iminato."j:
IJjstiUation and Other Industrial Separations 221
l._ .... .,."".".witII_

-

TI
I 1..1
Min. 1l in.

Min. ' l ....
o
l'
\

LiI;t'O kJuid
""
-
....
-.
....
0.


!iJ..:r..
'"
'"
"'-
""
..
-
TI
o
l'

I 1..1
Min. 12in.
Min.Uin.
.. -
,
ljgN.kJuid
'"
-'
-
--
--
....
...........
.L .L
.. ---
_ ....
'= :=
- -
--
1, 11.11.IL.1
,
Vertic:al ""$ign procedure
Rdcrr !o Figu", I f".- dimensions:
-
I . C.lcul ate !be ""nkal IC1'1IIinal
""locily:
Calculate tilt K , ... 1...,. u';ng one of
the m," h/xls in Table 2 and set U."
for. conscrvati,'e design.
2. Calculate the vapor ,"Olumetric
How rate:
Q
W.
v = 3.6OOP.
<',
J. Cakulate tht ve...,1 intern.l
diameter. Dv&
'"
If tht", i mi<t eliminator. add 3-6
in. !O D'7> 10 accommodale a ... ppon
ring and 'Q<md up to tht """ 6-in.
increment to obtain D; if there is no
mi .. eliminato.-. D. D'7>
4. tht $Otting velocity of
the heavy liquid oo! of , .... ligh! liquid
using Stoi:e<l.w (the maximum i. 10
inJmin):
U
_ k"(PH-pJ
H1 - ILL
where t. i. obcair>ed from Table loris
calculated (soe Eq. 3).
220 Distillation and Othef II1dustrial Separations
S. Similarly. calcula!e tht rising
"elocity of the liquid OU! of tilt
heavy liquid phue u';nl Stol:es' law:
u _ k"(p,,- pJ (8)
U/ - I1H
6. Calc"lale the light and heavy
liquid ""lumetric /krW raIeS. Qu. and
Qm.:
W

Q
- "1"
H1 - 6Op"
,OJ
(10)
7. Assume HL .. I fI (minimum)
and calc"J ... tilt settling tim< f<J< lh<
Tabl e 3 Cylindrical helghl
ond area conversions
a.a;.u' .. 'x' .......
,- 1.0 . 0 ... <& + {X'+ It.<'
WI) .. ,.",. ..

NJI)
..... 1'''''30 Ie.>
.).9200\11
<.0,11411'

S,!,I>397}
[ . 01_
....... 9160111
_UOI"lOS

0.OO"17S6

,. ).2WlO1

,.:U.Jj.l!lIS
'.-10.$+0.$2'
,. _]&._J16
numn
/_9"",*,1
.Or......- .. ..-__ .. H,ID
" A,IA,
II, _ II
H
+ ilL + H. + II. + 11.,. +
H" (17)
If I mi .. elimi!l.1lOr pad i. uocd.
addi,ioI\alhei&ht ill addtd as _boIoo'R in
FiJl're I .
E.ample 1
veniell ... p .. ,,"or wim I baf-
fle pla'e and wi",",,$h mi" elirn'M-
tor 10 sepanlle lhe lIi"cn in
'Iltble 4. The pre .. ure is 16'
p.ia. and il i. necessary 10 have a
hydrocarbon liquid holdup limo of 2j
min and. ""IKC of only S ""n.
I. Calculate !be Yef1ical ",rminll
,""ocily. U.inll Table 2. cakuLaie X
IIlin, !be Yon Derni ..... eqllolltiQnS.
...., Eq, EI in We box.
and V._ 0.7S)( 2.1lS fll,.
-- . ------
"'"

".
n"

.... 'c---'!'---,.;-----"';-----.;-----l.,----'.,----'
Table 4 Dala for Examplo 1.
Iht Ii"", roo- lhe
ligltl Uquid 10
rise 001 "r the
heavy liquid
-,
'",-(12)(1.0)
1I.74z6.9 min
9. Coleul.te
2. Calculate Iht vapor "OIu""""",
I\ow .. te. see Eq. E':2 in the box.
J. Calculate ,he \'eIsel inner diam-
ete'. see Eq, ID in ,he box,
Use D 10,5 fl,
C.lcul'te ' "" seldina vel<><;ily of
the heavy liquid 001 oIlhe ligltlliquid
phil..,. Ugn! fible I. k 0,]63,
Th."
U
a
O.16J(62. 11 - 53.9.1).'0.630
_ 2.11 in./min
5. Cakul.ue the 5<"l1lin, ''''ocily of
the ligltlliquid oul or IIIe 1Ie y liquid
ph ... ,
UUf 0. 16J(62. 11 - 53.95)10.764
.. 1.74 inJrnin
6. Cakulole ill<: li,hl .nd "".vy
liquid voIumeuie /I"", rIIlei. see Eq.
E4 and B in !lie
7. Assume H I fl and ClIkulate
!be lime fuo- the hca.y loquld 10 ",,,Ie
out of me li&hl liquId p/Ia5<";
' ...... (12) ( 1.0) n.11 .. 5.7 min
8. Assume HH I 1'1 and eaknlale
the b.lffle orca,
p, - P .. " 53.95 - 0.6973 " 53.25
''''''' As""rne If." 12 in .. H," H. _ 24
in, U, ini Haure 3. G .. 9.800 gphlfl'.
Ao (7 ,48 minlh)
+ 0,3$)(1'1')19.800 JpMt'" 0.25 ft'
ASSUmo 11' .. " 4 in.:
II'"ID .. 41( 12 " 10.5) .. 0.0317
Tablo 5 Inlel noulll siZing
",( 40. )"
"'''"
),. . 0"
Q, -0-0;:
a... . a.. a. ftI
22 and Other Industrial separations
. ,
. ,
, ,
U
'",,,II.d I. ';';"id 13 ,,""liW. ' III"Wi>t.
tim. f,lth. , 1, 2.
E. Comp'"'''' ... " ,o",',nl" ... g. ""bb.,
1 mo" boo!WOI" HI! [" 10 "' ''''I ooil 10",,1
10 min from 1>0""", t " gOO1 I.n. t" ' Q,id .ta""
F !'WI gH 1 ... , 1 "",."""
1II 1L ... g on .... i<><_ .... 1 Q"Iio>. _"" " II . ... , "" ...... _own
--
--.
"
, .
"
51,oiI.rd In,01Moootod
"
, ..
Poorly 1." """"nltO
"
)( 53.95 + X 62. 11 - 54.55 Iblfe
d. >( 4X I65.41 )'" .. 1.73 f1
6OltfJO.730
Usiag Table J ..... .",. .. 0.0095:
.... "' ("''')(10.5 tWa 86-'9 ft '
Ao .. (0,1095) (86-'9 l'1'l .. 0.82 fI'
U.., Ao '" 0.82 ft l.
A," 86.59 - 0.82 .. 8S. n fl l
10. C. lculate tho ""iikroce lime of
each phase:
au (1.0 fl) (8'-17 ft ')l5. 10
fI'/min .. 16.8 min
OHl " (1.0 1'1) (86.59 fI')IO.35
l'I'Imin .. 247.4 min
II . Cakul<i!e the hei,ru of tho hgllt
liquid aoo.'o: tho ou,lel. InsW on
boIdup:
H. (5. 10 ft'ImiQ) (25 nlln}'85.n
ft' .. UfI
Hs .. (S. IO .. OJ5)(fl'lmi. ) (5
minY86.s9 f,' .. 0.31 f,
U.., Hs'" O.S fl.
Il. Calcul.", occon:Iing 10
Table 5:
).,= QL1(Q" .. Q.) .. (5. 10 +
0.35:0'(5. 10 + 0.35 .. IM.J2 60)"
0._
Use Eq. E6 (!oCt 00.) 10 e.lcula!e
0,
P .. - P. A.+ _ ),) _ (54.55)
(0.0006) .. (0.6973) ( I _ 0.0006) "
0.730
Q .. _ 16,!'i.n .. (5.10 ..
16,!'i.4IIW.
llie Eq. E7 (_ 00.) 10 o:ak"IlIaIed,..
d" 21 in.; lOSe d" 24 in.
H,;
H
D
0.5 (10.5). fl (If
HD 3 204 .. 2412 36 in . 3.0 ft
(minimum)
Use HD _ 5.5 ft. From I, H,
_ 1 fl and,. fl. Calculate II".:
1/&," \'; (2.0 ft) + 2 ft . 3 ft
Set II, _ 0.5 ft . Fin.1 dimensions:
D . 10.5 ft. liN . 1.0 ft. 11,.1.0 ft.
1.5 ft. H 0.5 ft. II"" _ 3.0 ft,
and H
D
- 5.5 f . Add 1.5 fl for the mi"
eUminalor.
H. _ 14.0ft
H/O"'14.0110.5 _ 1.3
Add 2 ft 10 IId Jl 2.0 ft. H
D
,.
7.0 ft) M> .hal IIID _ 1.52 (JI,tD
sbouId be in !be -ae 0( 1.5 10 6.0).
Horizontal dellgn procedure:
no boot or wair
I. Calculate the , . pot"
flow "'t<, Q", uSina Sq. 5.
Distillation and OIlier Industrial Separations 223

,
2. Calculate tile light and hca"Y
iquid volumetric How "' .... QLI. alld
'1m. using Eq . 9 and !O.
3. Cakul ... til< veni",,1 terminal
lClocity. Ufo Eq, 4. (select. K
ral"" from Table 2) and .. t U
v
'"

4. Selt h.oldup and ... rge times
rom Thble 6 ""d cakulate the h.oWup
ond .urge volumes. V
H
ar.d V .. (unless
,urge i. otherwi .. specified .... cn as a
.Iug volu"",);
( 18)
(19)
5 . . ',y,io "" UD from Table 1 and
nitio"l c.loul.,e the diameter
lOC<)I'di ng to:
(20)
:alcul .. c the tOlal crousec,i",,"1

Ar=1
""
6. Set til< vapo< Il<ight. H"
o the larger of O.W or 2 ft, I ft if
here i, "" miSl eliminator. Usi",
'1.;0 in Table 3, ob!ain .'1...'.'1., and cal
:"Iat .'IV'
, the tltign" of the heavy ""d
H"L and Hw
8. (A
HL
+ Au,YA .. using (HHL
> Hu,YD in Table 3. ond calcul ... A.H1
, A.LI.'
9. Calcul.te tile minirnurn lengtll to
occommodate the liquid J-.oIdupl..,rge:
L- V,,+V,
- AT -AV- (A"L +Au) (22)
I O. Calculate the liquid dropout
in .. :
(23)
I L Calculote til< actual v'po'
..
velocity:
U", " Q,/ilv 'M)
I Z. Cl kulate the minimum length
'""Iuired for '-aporlli'luid .. pa .. tioo:
""
13. If L e L""" then $d L '" L"",
(here. vaporlliquid .. paration con-
trol.). This ,imply re.ults in ''''''e
extra Itooldup and residence lime. If L
e< L"lN' then increase Hvand Ittal
cul.te A ... and repeat. Slaning from
Step 9. If L > LUIIi" the design i.
acceptable for vaporlliquid .. para
tioo, If L L_ (liquid h.oldup """.
'roIs). L c ... ""Iy be rr<luced and L"",
increased if Hv is reduced. Hv may
only be reduced if it i, greater tit ... ttlt
minimum specified in Step 6. (With
re<luced If", recakulat. ilv and repeat
the procedure from Step 9,) Not., Fo<-
this and olher calculation . "much
greater than"' () and "muel, Ie ..
tIlan"' (ee) mean a variaocc of greater
tIlaii 2Q<I,.
14. Calculate !be 5e1t1;", velocities
of ,ho Il<.vy liquid OUt of the light hq.
uid pha .. and ,ho ligh' liquid out of lho
I>cavy liquid phase. VIII. and Vuo using
Eq.. 7 and 8 (filld k, fn;JIII Tabk I).
15. Calculate 'Il< "Uli", times of
the tIt.vy liquid out of the light ph ...
aDd tbe light liquid oot of Ill< heavy
-
(27)
16. Caleul.te the reside...., limeo
of tbe light and heavy liquid"
(28)
Distillation and Other Industrial separations
(AT- A v- A HL)L (29)
eu '" Q
u
11. If Ohl. < 'ut OT AU. e I .. then
increa .. the ves .. llength (Iiquid"i>"
aration contrOl.):
(30)
Ul Calculate UD. If UD 1.5.
<ltcreO$e D (unless it i, already at it.<
minimum). and if UD 6.0 lhen
in<:rr:a<e D, repoat from Step 5.
19. Calculate til< tIlicb\es$ of the
!hell and tltads "",,""'ing '0 Thble g.
20. Calcula'e surface an:a of the
!hell ""d bew acw<ding 10 Thble 8.
21. Cakulate tbe approxi,".te ' <Oli'
sel weight according to Table 8.
21. Increa<e Of decrease the VCMeI
diameter by 6-io. increments and
repeat the calculation, until ,ho UD
flI tio rang from 1.5-6.0.
23. Using the optimum vessel si""
(minimum weight). calculate the nor
mal and high liquid levels:
IINu KD- H. (31)
-11<LL - {AHL+A,.)+V,/L (32)
Obtain IINLI. usi ng Table 3 witll the
''lillie of A .. dAr
Horizontal design procedure:
he.vy liquid boot
1. Calcul.te 'Il< v.por ,'Olumetric
flow flIte. Q", using Eq. 5.
Z. Calcula'e ttlt light and tltavy
liquid volumetric now rates. QLI. and
QIIt. per Eq., 9 and 10.
3. Calculate the venical tenninal
velocit)'. U" using Eq. 4 (til< K ,al ...
come. from Table 2) and set U
v
'"
0.75 U
r
4. SeleC\ holdup alld surge time<
from Table 6 and cakul.to the h.oldup
and surge vol"mes. V
H
and V .. from
Eqs. 18 .nd 19 (unless "'rgci, 0!beT.

wi.., specified. such as ,IU8 ,"Olumc).
5. ObIain UD from Table 7 and
initi.lly set the diameter according 10:
T1Ien calculate the IOlal emu"",,
tional area, tl
r
. u,ing F.q. 21.
6. Set the vapor 'I""<' height, II.".
10 the largcc <If O.W Of 1 ft (I ft if
there is 00 miSl clim;rulor). Using
II./D in Table 3, obI.ain A,IA, ond clIl_
"")aleA,,
7. Set {he light liquid lH:ighlS in the
".... Jd booI, IIlLO' and IIlJ-O.
8. Calculate (he
area of th< lig)" l;qui<! the bot
10m of the '..:ss<1. A""" "sing HwiD
in T.bIe 3.
9. Calculate the minimum '.ngth to
a<comrnodo.le the liquid holdup/,urge:
L- VH+V,
- Ar- Av- Auv
'''J
10. Caku13lt ,he liq uid
using Eq. 23.
II . Calculale the actual v.p<:>'
velocity, U",. lUing Ilq. 24.
12. Cakulat. the minimum Itllglh
required for liquid/vapOr .. pam!k>n.
L"'I>' u.in, Eq. 25.
13. If L < L,w" u..n .." L. /.,,'"
(.,.aporlliquid separation conlrols).
Thi. ,ply ",""Its in $OrT'OO c:clra
holdup and residence lime. If L
<<L",.", then increase IIv and "",aleu-
l.teA ... t"'n from S .. ,,9. If L>
L .. ,,,, the desi", is acceptable for
vaporlliquid .ep"""i"". If L I..,,,,,
liquid holdup conuol . L can only bt
w;Juced and L,,,,, inc","scd if II" i,
reduced. IIv may only bt reduced if it
'S greater than tbe minimum .pecified
'n Step 6.
With rcduct:d II .. recalculat. A.
1!Id repeat from S .. p 9.
14. Cakulate the sculing ".Iocity
Jf the heavy liquid ""t of tbe ligilt liq.
'lid phase. U
Nt
" ,illJl Eq. 7 (obtain k.
'rom Tabl. I).
15. Calcul"e the time of
the .... vy liquid oot (lf the light liquid
pha .. :
IHI." 12 (1I1n + D - H;)lU I<L (35)
Ui. Calculate the resi<ic"".,ime <If
the light liquid:
,,'J
Note: Thi. volurn. of light liquid
igoores the ligilt liquid ",Iume io the
""'"
17. If e
u
< 'Nt then increa .. the
sc:l length (liquid separation C()n.
trol.):
Ill. Calcula .. UD. If UD 1.5
then dec"' .... D (unleM it is already at
minimum) lnd if UD 6.0 then
incre .... D; repeat from Step S.
19. Calculate til. thick"" .. of the
....11 and Mads acconling 10 Tabl. 8.
20. Calculate the .urfac ..... a of
the ,""II and ""ads ac.:ording 10 Tabl.

2 1. Calculate the .pproximate
",eight of the .hell .oo bead. accord
ing 10 TIIble 8,
22. I""" ,.,.., or dec", ... the ..... 1
diameter by 6-in. increm.nts and
the <lieu lations until UD
rang., from I .H,Q.
2J. With the <>pIimum ' ...... 1 size
(minimum ",.igilt), cakula", the 001'.
mal and Iti&h liquid k .. ls:
(38)
(39)
De'erminellNIL using Tabl. 3 from
A".,(Ar
24. Design th. huvy liquid booI:
Set the heigilt of the heavy Uquid.
IIHV' e.kul.", the ri.ing "dori'y of
tl>< light liquid oot of tl>< I><.vy liquid
phase, UIH' USing Eq. 8 (find is from
and Other Irlduslrial Separations 225
1
,
Table I); set U, 0.75 UU/;
!he heavy liquid bQoo: diameter:
o.=J4X I 2
Q
NL
nU,
("')
1ben oakulate 1I,e settling time of the
light liqu;d QUt of the heavy liquid
pit"",;
(41)
Calcul.t. the reside"". tim< of the
h.cavy liquid:
(42)
If 8
H1
< 'UI' then inoruse ,he bQoo:
di.ometer.
Horizontal design procedure:
_ir
I . Cakul"'" the vapor V{llu",etric
How Tal<:. Q", ",ing Eq. S.
2. Cakulate the light and heavy
liquid ,'Olume,ric flow rate . Qu. and
QN/.." per Eq . 9 and 10.
J. Cakulate the vemeal tenninal
vapor veloci.y. U,.. u.ing Eq. 4 (find K
from Table 2) and ""t U
y
_ 0.75U,..
4. Select boIdup and .urge times
fmm Table 6. and calculat. the holdup
and ,urge V{llumes. V
H
and V .. from
Sq . 18 and 19 (unless surge i , od>er.
'pecified . uch ... a slug ><>Inme).
5. Obtain UD from Table 7 and
initially o.kulate the diameter
accoJding to:
o.(If{v,,+Ysl)lIJ (43)
0.611\'40)
ll>cn caloulate the lOIal cross-=tioo-
aJ area.",.. u,ing Sq. 21.
6. Sct the vapor hei"'t. H"
to the latger of 0.2D or 2 f. (I ft if
there is no mi't ehminoto<). Using
II,ID in Table 3. obtain ".I". and oal
culateA ..
7. Calculal<: the low Uqklid level in
"
"
"



the ligh' liquid CQflIpaIlment u,ing
Eq.44 or it from Table 9
(M)
where D i. in ftel and Hw. in i""b
es (round up to ","""," in.). If D S 4.0
fl. then Hw. _ 9 in. Using IIw/D in
Table 3. Cakul"'" " w..
3. Caknl.,. the weir height:
H.,_ O _lI
v
(45)
If 11 .. < 2 Ii. incre"", D. and repeat
the calculations fron, Step 6.
9. Calcnlal<: the minimum length
of the light liquid compartment to
aocommodate holdup/.u,!!c. L,. in
2:
('"
L,,- VH+V,
- AT Av - AUL
Round to the ""ares. \', ft. The
minimum for L, _ d,,+ 12 in.
10. Set the interface at the height
H"n.. obtaining the height. of the
heavy and light liquid . HHI. and II!./..
11. For the liquid "'Uling <XIm
iW'rncnt. oakulate!he cross5CCIioo
aI ..... of the heavy liquid. using
HHelD in Tabk 3 and cakulate the
cto .... utiooal area of the light liquid
from:
n. Calculate the "'tding velocity
of the heavy liquid out of the light liq-
uid ph.asc. Uta. and the light liquid OUt
of the b..vy Uquid phase. UUI' u,ing
Eq, 7 and 8 (find *. from Tobk I)
IJ. Calculate the ""nling times of
the he.,y liquid out of the light liquid
phase and the light liquid OUt of the
heavy liquid phase:
12lIu.1U.... (48)
26 Distillation and Other Industrial Separations



1211
HL
IU", (49)
14. Calculate minimum L, to facil
iUlte liquid.l iquid "'!>""'tion as the
larger of:
Round to the \', ft.
IS. Find L;
(51)
16. Calcula", the liquid dropout
time .. ",ing Eq. 23.
17. C.lcula'e the actual vapor
velocity. U",. using Eq. 24.
18. Caloulate the minimum length
required for vaporllliquid separation.
L.",. ",ing Eq. 25.
19. If L < Lit"'" then set L _ L ....
(vaporlliquid separation control.) .
This .imply result< in ",me .... ''''
holdup and residence time. If L
L"". then i""" .... H" Ittaloulal<: A.
and the colculotion, from Step
6. If L > L""" the <Ie';gn i, aoceplllble
for vaporlliquid separatioo. If L
L",,, (liquid separation and holdup
",,"trol). L can ooly be reduced aDd
Lit'" increased if Hv i. reduced. Hv
nu.y only be reduced if it i. greater
than the minimum specified in Step 9.
I,\'ith reduced H", recal<.'Ula!c Ay and
"'peat from Step 9.
20. Calculate UD. If UD 1.5.
then dec..,...., 0 (unle .. it i, already It
a minimum) and """,at from Step 6.
If L/D 6.0. then inere .... D .nd
"'peat from Step S.
2 1. Calculale the thid ..... of the
.hell and heads according to Table 8.
22. Calculate the surface lrU of the
ohell and heads according to Table 8.
23. Calculate lile approximale yes.
... 1 weiglll ,",conIing to T.ble 8.
U . Inc"' .... or .... !he diant_
e! .... by 6-in. inc"' .... nlS .nd "'peal the
calculations unlil UD ranges from

25. With the op.irnum "e"",1 'itt
(mi nimum weight). cakulate l>O/IfIal
and high liquid levels;
(52)
A.,''''' = AUJ." V,/L., (53)
Obuin HIIU USing T.ble 3 wilh

d.sign proc.dur.:
.... uek.' and w.ir
1. Calculale the v.por volumetric
flow rate. Q" u$ing Eq. 5
2. Calculate the lighl and heavy
liquid yolu .... uic fl<)W rates. Q .... and
QIIL. per Eq . 9.nd 10.
3. Calculate lile ,ertical lennina!
"apo< ,-doci,y. Uf' using Eq. 4 K
from Table 2) and SC1 U. _ 0.7S U
r
4. Sc:11 ,""sidcntt limes for ligln
and heavy liquids. 9 .... and 9
HL
For
soor water ,uipper fce<l drum$, 9&_

60 min for refinery ... ",ice. or IO----l S
min for cl><mical pl3nt .. ",ice. For
amine "'generalor feed drums. 0",- =
10----15 min .
S. Obtain UD from Table 7 and
initially ... ' the di ..... ler """'lfding ""
"1"1><11 caitula", the 10I.aI c",","""ion-
II usinJ Eq. 21.
Ii. Sel tht vapor spaa: If,.
to the laq:er of O,W or 2 ft (I ft if
-
=
lhe", i. 00 mist ehminalor). Using
H.,ID in Table 3. oixain AlAr and cal-
culale A"
7. Calenl"'" L,:
(55)
8. Calcul ... ,he liquid dropout
ti ....... using Eq. 23.
9. Caieulale !he ""' .... 1 V3(lor veloc
i. y. U .... u,ing Eq, 24.
10. Calculat. the minimum lenglll
roo- v.porlliquid ... p.ralion.
L""",, u'ing &I. 25.
11. If L, < L"Ii'" then .. , L, _ L_
(vaporlliquid "'p;""ion conlrols).
nu. simply results in _ ."ra
holdup and "",idellCe lime. If L ,
L" .. , then incruse H,. <"".>lculale A"
and "'PC"" the C1lculalioo. from SI"1'
7. If L, > L"IN< lile des.ign i. ,",ce[JI'
able fOf vaporlliquid :lC1"'r.llion.
11. Calculate ,he lighl liquid t.yer
Ihlckness based 00 IlIe I><.vy Jiqui-d
"""ling 00(:
'" 343.57 fels
=2.55fIl5

Qu. '" 45,000 IIYh '" 18.52 felmin
60 mi D'h X 40.5 It}lre
4x277. 80 lit] - ll I5ft,useI I.Ofl
- 0.6n x 1.7 x 'I. - .



7,500 lhlh , .
QUL'" 60 minlh X 62.0 Iblft' = 2.02 ft Imln
L, = 277.80 = 14.54 ft
95.03 - 71.08 - 4.85

luI2.l '" 2.0 min x 2.02fl 'Imin = 045 ft
A,.L 8.93 ft' .

IHLQu '" 2.0 min x 18.52 ft ' /mi n = 2.47 ft
A u. 15.02 rt'


u. - Qv _ 343.57 re/s 4.83 fils
VA - A,. - 71.08ft'
Distillation and 0Ihef Irduslrial Separations 227
,
w, .. _ ..... ... ...,._ .....
.. ....
__ lit.
", .. _ ... ""''", ..... _." ...... .
Nomenclature
... ,_.""_ ......... ,-
_ ... ....... .
.. _I .........
... _ .. Cofto<y.
W, . Irl(:l. " . ..... _ ..... __ ..
_ .. , .. _""-.-.... .....
.. C ..... _.,..I;''''
-_ ... ..--......
--...... ... -- .-.. __ eo. \Ipoo_
__ ." ,,","" '--""r"_
_ .. _.s. ...
... -.. ,, ..... ""' ........
...... [-
"OJ
wI><", 0 , i. in microns.
13. Calcul,,,. t he difference in
Iocigllt botw""n tile ligllt and heavy
liquid weirs:


Design the light liquid bucket
Set the lop of light liquid weir .. 0 _
H.,; assume the bOllom is at O. I25D;
.ume a holdup/ourge (typically.
5-IS min.): 3SSume HU is 6 in.
below"'" weir height.nd ILL is 6 in.
abo". the bottom of the
Using Table 1 with IIHU,ID and
Hu.fD. caleulat. ),NU, and A
UL

lleulale 1.,:
(TH + T.)Qu.
L, =
(ANu,- A
UL
)
IS. A .. ume I" the l"'l1e' of 0112
or 12 in.
16. De<ign the hea>y liquid cOm
parlm<nt: Set the top of the he.vy liq
uid wc;, .. 0 _ /Iv _ &II; aosUm< a
holdup/surge (typically, min);
assume /Ill is about 6 in. below the
woir height and UL is about 6 in.
above the boito", of the vessel . U.ing
T" ble 1 with II
n
dO and lidO. cal
culate ),HU, and Aw;.
Cakuhue L.-
,
....... <t<IOO....roo...I --. a'
' .
____ --.ft'
'-
.... oflip 6qvOI __ boo
_.'
"

,,,,,, ......
'.
... _""",,
<. nouI< dia.. ill, 0 .... '" "" ....
.. oprik<lJ
, _ ...... diam<t. II or ill.
".
booo dia., n
'-
drnpIe' d",,, ft . '" ""'ro,"
" .
_ _ di,..PI"""'" d ....
,
_ P'" _;...,y. dl""",_
-

_ .... , ... "-' _ 31.17 M'
,
botI!Io I .... id Iood, "",,"'
"
h<i"".
".
1"'fOOt ...., __ ;., '"
".
_ 1iq0i4 h<,.., from .... bof!\o '"
f...!""'-*.n
".
d;............- hoi""-
".
_"P h<;p..
".
_ h<;"" ""'" ,.,Wol '-fa., U
_.
"-
HU. .,,,,,, _""*"'"'" ""*"'- /I
"-
liP< liqu" "',"" i. __ ft
"-
I;"" ...... i'
"-
_ Ii"" liquid "'i"" i .........
"-
..... h....- '" lOp .... "...,.., ft
".
. .... "" _1Wot bqoid....., MlW'

",
. ..... "...,.., ft
",
-.,,'" _'" _>to< 0<;1"'-
".
_ di"",&-,&,,""'" .... h<iFo<. ft
".
_ _ ......... 11

_ "","" din'.....,. _ liP< lAd
I><avy 10q0>;I ""'''- "'.
c, Sdoo' Ito ... ..."."" ,.ko<iI)' """
...... (inJmio)(,P)I(h'I'!'l
,
_ ........, ""Iocity M

_
'-
_ ...,.,." .... id _"'" ........"
_.
',"
., "'fin! l. l
,
""I 0< poi>
(TH + T.}Qm.
L,' ( )
-A,L!.

17. Calculate L L, 1.," L, + 1.,.
18. CakulOie UO. If UD U.
28 Distillation and Othef Industrial Separations
,
_ """_ !\ow, n'''" '" a'lrnin
,
.-................. 1 ... ""
M
_ ..-;.,.,;tf.....,. beI_
I""" lAd I><avy 10qu0d.
,
,,,,,,,,,,," "''''''''''''''. l,.
'.
__ '_.i.,
'-
xuli .... tim< kIr "" .. , I ....... ""'P<U
... of h"" I.'l-.'"
'.
n.. ""'" kIr 1;111< liqWd ""'P' "'"
or ""''l' I;q.od. mi,
"
""II thlcf.no ... Lo.
"
'-'P,lm<."".
"
._" ........
"-
"'_ hoo\..,..., flh
"-
_li .... _, of .... 'l' I .... id
""'P' "'" or liP< !;quid. ",1mi.
".
,;,; .... ",Iocity of li .... ';quid ""'P<U
... of _1 liquid. io./wO.o
".
...... "..,.i"..M
"-
"""'.nociI}',
",
trmwo4I .. Iocity. /tI, '" i.hllin
". "'I'" ... ko<it" M
".
.... ""' __ r M
'.
-.., "" ..... /I'
'-
_Ui._ft'
"
A -.. ""oune. ft'
"
.. ,...., w.iJIK. Ib
".
__ ,born ........ ill.
""'" 1<, .".


tiqo .. """"",,,, bon<, ...
,

"", ..... liquid_
,

.i>oo<i ,y.oP
,

...."iI)'. Ib'tt'


kiqyid
-....
H, HL
h<"1Iiqok!
"U [;qoid ,.,,1
'U '1JhI';q.,Id
=

"'" tiqoid """
,

......
'U
""""" ,iquid .... ,
,
,-
Ih<n decrease D and "'peat from S'ep
If UD 6.0, then iTICTea.., 0 and
repe. 1 from
19. Calculate II>< thickness <>f!he
shell and beads aocooling to Table 8
20. Cakulate the surface area of
"
Table 10. Data for bampl1l2
,
. '
--,,"
, ..
.-
HylIro<"bo" "POf W,.235.IW p,.o.HIO
Hydro .. rooo liquid W" p,' 4C.!
D< ,\ P, '00 ",,'Y Elh".;.01
W ... , W .. 7,!j1X1 p,_ &2.D 1).112
D> II 11. .... , oI", .. ,uro He"",,,.;.,.,",
_ "' P. do ... ,.. ..... and 0._'"
,hell and heads ;>CCOI'{\inil '0 Table S.
21. Calculate"'" approximate '"ell -
weighl """onIi"1l to Table g,
U. In<,,,ase or decrease .he dian>-
ctor by 6-in. increm<nt$ and rep'" the
calculation. un1;l UD ranges from
1.5-6.0.
Example 2
Design a threepll3se OOriwnlal
-.antor with a 10 >q>a,,"e Iho
in Table 10. n.e opera,ill3
pttSSun: and 'cmpc"'tun: are 2'i psig
and 100, respecti, .. ly. and it i.
s.ary!O ha'" I liquid holdup and surge
lim< of 15 min
1. See Eq. ES. box. p. 38
2. See Eq . E9 and EIO. box. p. 38
3. K 0.175 (II .. Gas J'roceon
Suppliers' Association val ... in Table
2 was di,- idcd by 2 ,in<e there is no
miSl eliminator).
See F..lJ . Ell, 00'. p. 38
U
y
z 0.7S " 2.SS = 1.91 ftll
4. Holdup + .urge as 'pcciliW. IS
min.
V N + V, " (I S min) (1852 ft'lmin)
ft'
As"""", 10 min holdup. S min
surge.
Assume 1.7.
...,Eq.EI2.box,p.38
AT. 11/4 (11.0 ft)' '" 95,03 ft'
6. Si""" tilt maM ralt of vapor is
.bOn, 82% of ,I>< lo.oding. o.r< H.,o be
much Ihan Ihe mInimum.
A .... "'" H. E 0.700 '" (0,70)(1 LO f,)
= 7.70 ft. U.ing Table 3. AIAT _
0.748. A." 71.08
7. 1/= = (0.5)(11.0) + 7 '" 12.5 in ..
u'"' 13 in.
HdD = 13/(1 LO 12) = 0,098
Using Tobie 3. A,dAT- 0,051
AUL _ (0,051)(95.03 ft') E 4.85 ft'
8. H..- _ 1 LO - 7,70 .. 3.30 ft
9. See Eq, ED. bo . p, 38
Use L,. l'i.O ft.
10_ H!II. .. Hu. E 3.3IY.! '" f'
II . I/!II.ID .. 1.65111.0 = 0, I 50
From Tobie 3.An/AT. 0,094
IINC - (0,094)(9'i .03 ft') _ 8.93 ft'
Au .. 15.02 ft '
12. From Table I. i . _ 0.333
U
IIL
- (0.333)(62.0 - 4O..'l)(l.24_
29,83 in)min
Use 10 in)min (maximum)
UU/ .. (0.333)(61.0 - .,
10.50 inJmin
Use 10 in)min (maximum)
13. INL = (12 in)ft)(1.65 ftjllO
ill)min .. 1,98 miD. use 2.0 mins
'", -2,0 min
14. See Eq . EI 4 and 10 15. box.
p. 38
U ... L, = 3.0 ft .
15.La 3.0 + 15.0_ 18.0ft
Iii. _ 7.70 fIII.91 fll. _ 4.03
17. Sec Eq. E16. box, p. 38
, _ 55xl32 IL -030'
- 2x 17.500xO.85 - 1.2x55 + "6 -. m.
Ell
+'/16 '" 0.495 in.
E, IS
W'" 490 lb X 0.5!X1 ill (673.87 f1 ' + 2 X 101.88 fI') '" !7 920 Ib
ft' 12 mJfl .
t,'q._ 1 9
18. L,,11' .. (4.83 fII.)(4,03 ) ..
19.5 ft
19. Since L < L,.... set L _ 195 f'
( ... t L, = 16.0 ft. L, " 3,5 1\)
20. UD .. 19.5111.0 _ 1,78
H . A .. ume disl>td I><ads per
nbk: II.
Assume E z 0.85
Use SA-5 16 70 "arbon stul,
<le<ign ICmpe,,"ore z 650"
S 2 17.sao psi; from Ref. (3).
Corro<;.,n allovo" """ _ V,. in.

See Eq, 1017, on thi.

Stt Eq, 10 18, 00> "" this page.
U ... 'n " \'; in,; 1_ ,., in.
2!. A,,, 1l(11.0 ft) ( 19.5 ft) ..
673.87 ft,
AN - (0. 841) (11.0 ft )' _ 101.88 ft'
23. See Eq, E 19. box on thi, page.
2J. In Ihi. e .. mple. cakulalions
'Oi"'" performed for only On<: diame
Itr. Ho><'e>'",. neaTly lhe minimum
UD "orresponded to a dianlOleT of
11.0 f. ; 'I><",fore, ,I>< ne.t diameter
5bould be sman.,. resulting in
I..-g"' UD. AI.o. caleul.,ion, .hould
be performed using a diameter of
11.5 f!
25. fur tilt lighIliqWd 0JCIIflI"UTlt!t:
HHU." H..- _ 3.3 ft - 3 fL 4 in.
AML '" 4.85 + 185.20'16.0 .. 16.43 It'
A.....!A
T
- 16,43195.03 0. 173
V.i", Tabk 3, HIiUID = 0,229
IIHI.J. (0.219) (11.0) = 2.S2 ft - 2
ft, 6 in.
H
UL
- 13 in .
Comment: Due 10 Ihe .mall
amount of heavy liquid and large
Imounl of vapor, a ben", design
would have uoed a boot. A vertica l
vessel s hould be compared .
welL mol
Distillation and O!he<" Industrial Separations 229
,