Performance Characteristics of an Intermediate Area High Performance Structured Packing

Results are presented of total reflux distillation experiments carried out with Montz-pak B1-350MN in a 1.21 m internal diameter column at Fractionation Research Inc. using two tests systems at two operating pressures, i.e. cyclohexane/n-heptane, at 0.31 and 1.62 bar, and paraxylene/orthoxylene at 0.1 and 1 bar, respectively. In all cases an impressive packing efficiency was achieved, ranging from five stages- at low to four stages per unit bed height at high vapor loads (F-factor). Comparison with data obtained earlier with B1-250MN under similar conditions indicates a relatively higher maximum efficient capacity of B1-350MN, while the relative efficiency and pressure drop correspond with the ratio of installed specific geometric areas. Owing to its rather low pressure drop per stage B1-350MN appears to be a versatile packing, considered presently as first choice for design of dividing wall columns. The Delft model captures observed packing geometry related effects quite well qualitatively. Quantitatively, the efficiency and pressure drop predictions are on the safe side, and only one adjustable parameter is needed to ensure perfect match.