Distillation Tray Efficiency Prediction: A Simpler Approach

In the last 30 years, the prediction of distillation tray efficiency has been extensively modeled, empirically and fundamentally.   The efforts have been mostly focused on cross-flow sieve trays, and those models have been extended to trays with different contacting devices. 

Experimental tray efficiency data from pilot and semi-industrial columns for several distillation systems will be used to present a simpler approach to estimate tray efficiency under distillation conditions.

The main goal is to present a simpler approach that process engineers can rely on to complete preliminary distillation column designs and/or to analyze industrial distillation columns mass transfer performance.