UOP SERIES: HEAT & MASS TRANSFER OPERATIONS

DISTILLATION COLUMNS – UOP3

NEW & IMPROVED UOP3CC + UOP3BM

COLUMN SECTIONS AVAILABLE AS A RETROFIT TO EXISTING UOP3 UNITS

UNIQUE* EIGHT-POINT SAMPLE & FEED SIEVE PLATE COLUMN SECTIONS

COLUMN CAN USE FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS

SAMPLE & FEED POINTS AT EVERY TRAY

NEW: LABVIEW™ SOFTWARE OPTIONS

Considerable advances in the instrumentation and

control of distillation columns have been made in
recent years, prompted by the advent of computer-
linked systems supported by software packages
for handling plant operating data. To reflect
these advances, Armfield have developed two
new state-of-the-art laboratory-based distillation
columns that enable safe hands-on practical
training for student engineers and plant operators:
© Armfield Ltd. 2016 > A continuous or batch operation, computer-
compatible column (model reference
UOP3CC), which enables a full range of
demonstrations from the introductory stages
of a process engineering course through
to the more complex demonstrations
of modern control strategies
> A batch-only operated version (model
reference UOP3BM) manually controlled,
permits comprehensive study of the
basic principles of distillation
> Both units are designed for safe
options using flammable solvents

The Armfield UOP3CC and UOP3BM have

been significantly improved with the addition
of sampling ports on each of the trays.
Previously, the thermocouple was
removed in order to take a sample.
The new sampling ports enable vapour
or liquid samples to be drawn from
each of the sieve plates by simply
inserting a hypodermic needle into the
septum seal while the distillation is in
full, continuous operation. In addition,
™ sample ports can be utilised as additional
enviro feed positions on each sieve plate.
PRODUCTS
The ports are now fitted as standard, and
are available as a retrospective install
to existing UOP3CC & UOP3BM units.
Contact Armfield for more details.

Above: Computer interfaced distillation column UOP3CC shown with safe area console
This data sheet is available online at: ISSUE 8
www.armfield.co.uk/uop3
Fig. 1: Column pressure drop as a function Fig. 2: Column overall efficiency as a func- Fig. 3: McCabe-Thiele construction for batch distillation
of boil-up rate tion of boil-up rate at total reflux (methylcyclohexane-toluene mixture, Fig. 4: Batch distillation: Variation of composition with time at fixed UOP3CC Safe area console
atmospheric pressure, boiler power 1.0kW) reflux ratio of 5:1 (methylcyclohexane-toluene mixture, atmospheric
pressure, boiler power 1.1kW)

LABORATORY WORK ASSIGNMENT CAPABILITIES

For Batch Distillation Column UOP3BM – For Computer-Interfaced Distillation Column • Proprietary controller demonstrations:
under manual control: UOP3CC only – continuous operation, > PLC control of reboiler heater and/or reflux
•P
 ressure drop across the column as a manual or computer operation: ratio and alarm functioning (requires
function of boil-up rate (Fig. 1) • Includes all demonstrations listed for UOP3BM Armfield PCT19BR unit incorporating an
•C
 olumn efficiency as a function of boil- under ‘Batch Distillation Column’ industry-standard PLC) (Figs. 13 & 14)
up rate, at total reflux (Fig. 2) • Continuous, steady-state distillation including > Demonstration of PC supervision of PLC
•P
 late-to-plate temperature profiles along the column temperature profiles and McCabe-Thiele analysis and PID controllers – an introduction
•M
 cCabe-Thiele construction of operating line (Fig. 3) • Distillation under reduced pressure conditions (Fig. 5) to distributed control systems
•D
 istillation at constant reflux ratio: variation of • Comparison of packed and plate column > PID analogue control of reboiler heater from
top product composition with time (Fig. 4) continuous operation (Table 1) column temperature (requires Armfield PCT20H
• Effect of feed preheat (Fig. 6) unit incorporating an industry-standard controller
•M
 ass balance across the system
•M
 anual control of reflux ratio to achieve a • Effect of feed position (Table 2)
top product of specified composition • Demonstration of azeotropic distillation (Fig. 7)
•C
 omparison of packed column with • Computer control assignments:
sieve plate column performance > The on-line use of mimic diagrams (Fig. 8)
Note: These capabilities can also be performed with UOP3CC. > Setting up data logging and subsequent
analyses of captured data, including
use of spreadsheets (Fig. 9)
Fig. 7: Reflux separator during azeotropic distillation of a water/organics mixture > Batch distillation at constant reflux
ratio (Fig. 10) or varying with time
> Batch distillation with reflux ratio control
from a column temperature (Fig. 11)
> Continuous distillation with three-term control
Fig. 8: On-line mimic diagram during batch distillation at constant reflux ratio
of reboiler heater from a column temperature
[Table]

> Continuous distillation with top

temperature controlling reflux ratio
> Continuous distillation with temperature
control of reboiler heater and reflux
ratio (two-loop control system)
> Optimum controller settings for changes in
feed rate, composition or temperature
> Alternative, user-originated control algorithms
© Armfield Ltd. 2016

> Process dynamics eg operation and control

of continuous distillation operation
Acknowledgements:
Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Table 2: Results taken from Armfield UOP3CC Distillation Column in
the Process Laboratories of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Aston,
UK courtesy of Dr J D Jenkins
Fig. 9: Typical results displayed in tabular format
Training on the UOP3CC. Close-up of new column section
One-to-one and group training is available at Armfield or at point of installation.
DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION SOFTWARE

Batch Distillation Column (Manual) UOP3BM Computer-Interfaced Distillation Column UOP3CC Armsoft 306 software included as standard
The unit is a self-contained and fully instrumented This unit incorporates all the features of the • Bespoke armSOFT software, enables real-time
Decanter
distillation facility, suitable for practical laboratory Condenser manually operated batch column (UOP3BM) data acquisition via USB port, mimic diagram
work relevant to the teaching of unit operations. Dosing vessel but includes the following additional items: of process tabular and graphical display of
The equipment employs galvanically isolated Reflux Process unit results, and export to external spreadsheet
Top product
valve
intrinsically safe circuits and flameproof devices receiver • Two 5l feed vessels, with rapid changeover to permit • Fully configurable, multiple loop control strategies
as appropriate, to enable safe distillation of T step changes in feed composition to be made Control options include:
standard test mixtures such as methylcyclohexane- T1 Vacuum
• Peristaltic feed pump, range 0-0.25 l/min
toluene, methyl alcohol-water etc.
Manometer T2 pump > Manual control of feed rate, reboiler
T3 adjustable by voltage input variation power and reflux ratio
Cooling
The equipment consists of two interconnected T4
water to the pump motor controller
units – a floor standing process unit and > Alarm setting
T5 • Electrically heated reboiler of sufficient
a bench-mounted control console. Column T6 Feed tanks capacity for 1-2 hours of batch operation, > Adjustable PID control of the power to the
The following features are included: T7 but equipped with an internal overflow reboiler heater from a temperature sensor
T8
Process unit when continuous operation is required > Alternative algorithms for controlling the reflux
Reboiler • A bottoms product heat exchanger that may either ratio, in particular by programmed variation
•A  50mm diameter plate distillation column
be water cooled or used as a (variable) feed preheater with time and from a column temperature
containing eight sieve plates and downcomers. Heater
Every plate includes a temperature sensor positioned Heat Feed pump • Alternative column feed points and the ability to > Two-point temperature control of reboiler
to accurately measure the temperature of the
exchanger vary the inlet feed temperature to the column power and reflux ratio simultaneously
Bottom
liquid on each plate. The sheaths of each plate product
• Dosing feed vessel, connected to the column for the • Full help facilities including presentation
temperature sensor are not more than 1.5mm Vent receiver continuous addition of a third liquid component, screen to provide a brief overview of the
diameter, to ensure rapid dynamic response Temp sensor
which together with the condensate phase separator equipment, and detailed texts giving all the
•A  50mm packed column supplied as a separate vessel enables the study of azeotropic distillation information required to run the experiments
UOP3CC Only
item, but readily interchangeable with the plate • Temperature sensors in each flow stream entering LabVIEW software
column by the user, for comparative studies Schematic diagram of Armfield distillation columns
and leaving the condenser and of the feed,
As an alternative to the armSOFT software, the
of the two types of distillation column product system and reboiler temperatures
software to control the UOP3CC can be supplied in
• E lectrically heated reboiler of enough capacity for up Control console Control console the LabVIEW™ format. Two versions are available:
to two hours of batch operation. The reboiler heater • Monitoring and selectable display of at least 13 • Monitoring and selectable display of at least • UOP3CC-LV-RT is a run-time version of the
is protected against overheating by a low-level alarm system temperatures, including those of the liquid 14 system temperatures, including those of software. It does not require LabVIEW™ to
•A  n overhead condenser with cooling water on each tray, the reboiler and across the condenser the liquid on each tray, the reboiler, across the be installed on the computer and requires
flow measurement and adjustment • Monitoring, display and manual adjustment of: condenser, and of the feed and product streams no further license to run the software
•A  condensate collecting vessel, equipped > The electrical power to the reboiler heater • Monitoring, display and manual adjustment of: • UOP3CC-LV-SC is aimed at experienced LabVIEW™
with double overflow weirs and exit pipes to
> The reflux ratio setting > The electrical power to the reboiler heater developers. It includes all the source files so that
enable separation of immiscible liquids
• Front panel connections to enable the user to > The reflux ratio setting users can amend the software and optimise
•A  reflux return valve, solenoid operated, to provide
connect 0-5V industry-standard analogue or > The feed rate setting it to their own requirements. To use UOP3CC-
for 0-100% reflux, adjustable by electrical signal
programmable logic controllers, to provide on-line • Ribbon cable connector at rear of the console allows LV-SC, the National Instruments LabVIEW™
• Differential manometer connected to top and bottom control of the boil-up rate or reflux ratio from development program must be installed on the
the use of standard laboratory chart recorders and
of the column, to monitor column pressure drop chosen column temperature measurements. The computer (ie NI Developer Suite 2012), complete
data loggers (all measurements simultaneously)
•A  vacuum system with gauge to enable distillation connection points also permit the use of standard with all appropriate licenses (Armfield do not
• USB connector at the rear of the unit
studies at reduced pressures down to 200mbar(abs) laboratory chart recorders and data loggers (up to supply the National Instruments software)
enables connection to a user supplied
• S ampling points throughout the system for two temperature measurements simultaneously) PC, via the integral USB interface
composition analyses • Mains power connection (single-phase 3kW • Remote/manual switch is provided on the front panel
•M  aterials of construction for surfaces in contact max supply) protected by residual current of the console to enable simple changeover from PC
with the process fluids are; glass, stainless steel, device. No-volt protection safety circuits to front panel control to be made by the operator
PTFE or similar solvent-resistant materials to prevent unintentional start-up
• Power and motor control circuits shut down
•H  eight of the process unit does not exceed 2.5m • Individual circuits protected against excess automatically with loss of computer control
• L agging is provided, although it is possible current with resettable circuit breakers signals (when in computer control mode)
to see at least one plate in operation
with distillation in progress
•M  aximum operating temperature inside
the column operation is at least 130°C
 PCT19BR Industrial PLC controller PCT20H Industrial PID controller
Fig. 14: Hard copy of results

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Unit must be placed/located on a solvent-resistant PCT19BR:

floor in an area with Zone 2 Hazardous area PLC unit incorporating Allen Bradley SLC500 complete
Distillation column control using an Armfield PCT19BR Industrial PLC Unit classification or in a well ventilated environment with with proprietary ladder logic set-up program
two metres of clear space on either side of the unit. (requiring a user-supplied PC). This program is
Comparison of batch distillation for different reflux Effect of operating parameters on column temperature profile Electrical supply: initially configured by Armfield for two analogue
ratio control strategies (Feed rate of 60 ml/min, 60% trichlorethylene / 40% input/output control loops suited to the UOP3
methylene chloride, boiler power 0.75kW, reflux ratio 2:1) UOP3BM-A: 220-240V / 1ph / 50Hz / 13 amp
UOP3BM-B: 120V / 1ph / 60Hz / 25 amp Distillation Column unit (either BM or CC versions),
but may be reconfigured by users via their PC.
UOP3BM-G: 220V / 1ph / 60Hz / 13 amp
UOP3CC-A: 220-240V / 1ph / 50Hz / 13 amp PCT20H:
PID controller, incorporating a Honeywell UDC3300
UOP3CC-B: 120V / 1ph / 60Hz / 25 amp
series unit, with voltage/mA input and output
UOP3CC-G: 220V / 1ph / 60Hz / 13 amp
for single loop control and alarm configurations.
Cold water supply: Suitable for both UOP3BM and CC versions. A
15 litres/minute at 2.0bar pressure (min.) software package is supplied on disk to demonstrate
Fig. 10: Constant reflux ratio Venting: the basic principles of SCADA whereby a user-
supplied PC can address the PID controller on-line.
Fig. 5: Effect of reduced pressure Exhaust line to fume cupboard or to safe
discharge area outside of laboratory.
NB: The distillation unit is floor mounted
and is supplied already connected to the
bench- mounting control console by sufficient
armoured cable to allow the two-metre clear
space to be maintained around the column.

Fig. 11: Reflux ratio controlled by top plate tem- ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES
perature
Fig. 6: Effect of feed preheat
Analytical equipment, suitable for composition
analyses of any particular liquid mixture
selected by the user (eg refractometer).
Measurements in Temp of Temp of Feed to top of column For UOP3CC only:
top plate boiler
Time Compositions, m.f. MCH Power Reflux Temperatures, °C Windows PC with USB port (not supplied by Armfield)
Packed column 48.4°C 82.5°C Feed Overheads Bottoms Input, kW Ratio Reboiler O/H line Top plate
13.40 0.293
Note: It is not possible to upgrade a UOP3BM unit to
Plate column 48.0°C 85.0°C
15.00 0.79 2:1 108.8 103.4 103.5 a UOP3CC unit, owing to the complexity of the flame-
Conditions: 15.15 0.77 2:1 108.4 103.0 102.7 proof barriers within the UOP3CC control console.
Feed: 60 ml/min of
15.20 0.472 0.088
60:40 trichlorethylene/methylene
Chloride 15.30 0.79 2:1 107.1 102.9 103.6
Reboiler power: 0.75kW 15.35 0.464 0.097
Reflux ratio: 2:1
15.50 0.481 0.107 0.75 2:1 107.4 103.0 103.6
Ambient feed temp: 17°C – atmospheric pressure

Table 1: Comparison of temperatures across packed and Table 2: Results for an alternative feed position
plate columns
 ORDERING SPECIFICATION – ORDERING SPECIFICATION –
BATCH DISTILLATION COLUMN COMPUTER-INTERFACED DISTILLATION COLUMN
• Self-contained sieve plate distillation column • S elf-contained sieve plate distillation column unit
unit including reboiler, condenser and reflux including feed vessels and pump, reboiler, condenser,
tank, suitable for use with flammable solvents reflux separator, product collecting tanks, bottoms
and fully instrumented for batch operation product cooler/feed preheater, suitable for use
• Eight feed and sample points with flammable solvents and fully instrumented
for both batch and continuous operation
• Temperatures throughout the process including those on
each and every sieve plate are monitored and displayed • E ight feed and sample points
on a bench-mounted control console, via a selector switch. • T emperatures throughout the process including
The console also houses controls for the power supplied to those on each and every sieve plate are monitored
the reboiler heater and for reflux ratio settings from 0-100% and displayed on a bench mounted control console,
• The console front panel connections enable the use of via a selector switch. The console also houses
standard laboratory recorders and data loggers and of controls for the power supplied to the reboiler
industry-standard PID and PLC controllers (not supplied) heater and for reflux ratio settings from 0-100%
• A U-tube manometer is incorporated to measure • T he console front panel connections enable the use of
pressure drop over the distillation column standard laboratory recorders and data loggers and of
industry-standard PID and PLC controllers (not supplied)
• The 50mm diameter sieve plate column
may be readily interchanged with a packed • T he console is designed to be connected to a PC
column supplied as an alternative (not supplied), and software is provided to enable
data logging, real-time trend monitoring and
• A vacuum system enables operation at
PID control loops to be set up, monitored and
reduced pressures down to 200mbar
configured by the user via a mimic diagram
• The unit is supplied fully assembled including
•A  U-tube manometer is incorporated to measure
lagging, and a comprehensive instruction
pressure drop over the distillation column
manual describes commissioning, maintenance
and instructional assignments •A  vacuum system enables operation at
reduced pressures down to 200mbar
•A  third feed vessel is supplied, so with the reflux phase
separator, azeotropic distillation may be demonstrated
• The 50mm diameter sieve plate column
OVERALL DIMENSIONS may be readily interchanged with a packed
column supplied as an alternative
Process unit: Control console:
• T he unit is supplied fully assembled including
Height: 2.25m Height: 0.30m lagging, and a comprehensive instruction
Width: 0.85m Width: 0.52m manual describes commissioning, maintenance
Depth: 0.80m Depth: 0.40m and instructional assignments

SHIPPING SPECIFICATION
Packed volume: 3.4m³ OVERALL DIMENSIONS
Gross weight: 425kg
Process unit: Control console:
Height: 2.25m Height: 0.42m
*Armfield UOP3CC and UOP3BM are the only units on the market Width: 0.85m Width: 0.52m
with this sampling capability, and the column is unique in that it can
use flammable solvents. In addition, sample ports can be utilised as Depth: 0.80m Depth: 0.40m
additional feed positions on each sieve plate.
Correct at time of product release. SHIPPING SPECIFICATION
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ADVANCED FEATURES Packed volume: 3.5m³
OF THE SOPHISTICATED ARMFIELD SOFTWARE VISIT:
www.discoverarmfield.co.uk/data/armsoft Gross weight: 450 kg
Scan for website

Head Office: U.S. Office:

<E X T E N D E D >
Armfield Limited Armfield Inc.
WARRANTY Bridge House, West Street, 9 Trenton - Lakewood Road
2years Ringwood, Hampshire Clarksburg NJ 08510
BH24 1DY England Tel/Fax: (609) 208-2800
Telephone: +44 1425 478781 E-mail: info@armfieldinc.com
Find us
us on
on YouTube!
YouTube! Fax: +44 1425 470916
Find
www.youtube.com/user/armfieldUK
www.youtube.com/user/armfieldUK E-mail: sales@armfield.co.uk An ISO 9001 Company
Follow
Follow us on Twitter,
us on Twitter, Facebook, Innovators
Innovators in
in Engineering
Engineering Teaching
Teaching Equipment
Equipment
LinkedIn
LinkedIn and
Facebook, © 2016 Armfield Ltd. All Rights Reserved
more! www.armfield.co.uk
and
WordPress
WordPress
We reserve the right to amend these specifications without prior notice. E&OE 0713/3k
Correct at time of going to press.
learn
learn more! www.armfield.co.uk