The document describes a distillation column system with level as a variable. It discusses the challenges of inaccurate liquid level indication and outlines several level measurement technologies considered for use, including radar, guided wave radar, ultrasonic, capacitive, hydrostatic, radiation-based, vibration, and conductive sensors. Guided wave radar is chosen for its maintenance-free operation under pressure and temperature extremes. Column pressure will be measured with a pressure transmitter and flow will be controlled using orifice meter technology. Resistance temperature detectors are selected for temperature measurement. The controlled variables of the distillation column include pressure, distillate concentration and level, reflux level, and bottoms concentration and level, which will be manipulated using control valves adjusting condenser

1. DISTILLATION COLUMN
WITH LEVEL AS VARIABLE
Name ID Num
LAW CHOON CHUAN EC10103
NATASHA EMLYN ANAK DADI EC10002
WAN NUR AF'ZAM BINTI WAN ABD RAZAB EC10095
CHAN HWEE GEEM EC10047
TEOH SHIN YEE EA10051

2. INTRODUCTION
• Distillation is a process that separates two or more
components into an overhead distillate and a
bottoms product. The bottoms product is almost
exclusively liquid, while the distillate may be
liquid or a vapor or both.

3. • The separation process requires three things.
1) second phase must be formed so that both liquid and
vapour phases are present and can contact each other on
each stage within a separation column.
2) components have different volatilities so that they will
partition between the two phases to a different extent.
3) two phases can be separated by gravity or other
mechanical means.

4. CHALLENGE FOR DISTILLATION COLUMN
Inaccurate liquid level indication
- causes many expensive operating problems.
- high liquid levels damage equipment.

5. P&I DRAWING OF DISTILLATION COLUMN

6. SPECIFICATIONS OF TRANSDUCERS
• Measuring principle of level transducers:
1. Radar
2. Guided Wave Radar
3. Ultrasonic
4. Capacitive
5. Hydrostatic
6. Radiation-based
7. Vibration
8. Conductive

7. LEVEL CONTROL
There will be two level loops on a distillation column as:
• the column base level must be maintained at an acceptable value.
• the reflux drum level must be maintained at an acceptable value.

8. • 1. Radar – Vegapuls 62
for level measurement of liquids under difficult conditions
Specs Details
Measuring Range up to 35 m
Process fitting thread from G1½, 1½ NPT
flanges from DN 50, 2"
Process temperature -200 … +450 C
Process pressure -1 … +160 bar
(-100…+16000 kPa
Accuracy +/- 2 mm
SIL qualification Optionally up to SIL2

9. • 2. Guided Wave Radar – Vegaflex 86
for continuous level and interface measurement of liquids
Specs Details
Version exchangeable cable probe
(ø 2 mm, ø 4 mm)
exchangeable rod probe
(ø 16 mm)
coax probe
(ø 42 mm)
Measuring Range cable probe up to 75 m
rod probe up to 6 m
coax probe up to 6 m
Process fitting thread from G1½ , 1½ NPT
flanges from DN 50, 2"
Process temperature -196 … +450 C
Process pressure -1 … +400 bar
(-100 … +40000 kPa)
Accuracy +/- 2 mm

10. • 3. Ultrasonic – Vegason 61
ultrasonic sensor for continuous level measurement
Specs Details
Measuring Range in liquids: 0.25 … 5 m
in bulk solids: 0.25 … 2 m
Process fitting thread G1½, 1½ NPT
Process temperature -40 … +80 C
Process pressure -0,2 … +2 bar
(-20 … +200 kPa
Accuracy +/- 10 mm
SIL qualification optionally up to SIL2

11. • 4. Capacitive – Vegacal 62
capacitive rod electrode for continuous level measurement
Specs Details
Version partly insulated rod
Measuring Range up to 6 m
Process fitting thread from G¾, ¾ NPT
flanges from DN 25, 1"
Materials steel, 316L, PTFE
Process temperature -50 … +200 C
Process pressure -1 … +64 bar
(-100 … +6400 kPa)
SIL qualification optionally up to SIL2

12. • 5. Hydrostatic – Vegawell 52
suspension pressure transmitter for continuous level measurement of
liquids
Specs Details
Measuring cell CERTEC
Sensor diameter rom 22 mm
Measuring range 0 … +60 bar (0 … +6000 kPa
Process temperature -20 … +80 C
Deviation in characteristics 0.2 %; 0.1 %

13. • 6. Radiation-based – Fibertrac 31
for continuous measurement of liquids and bulk solids
Specs Details
Version partly insulated rod
Measuring Range up to 6 m
Process fitting thread from G¾, ¾ NPT
flanges from DN 25, 1"
Materials steel, 316L, PTFE
SIL qualification optionally up to SIL2

14. • 7. Vibration – Vegaswing 61
vibrating level switch for liquids
Specs Details
Materials 316L, Hastelloy, ECTFE,
PFA, enamel
Process fitting thread from G¾, ¾ NPT
flanges from DN 25, 1"
hygienic fitting
Process temperature -50 … +250 C
Process pressure -1 … +64 bar
(-100 … +6400 kPa)
SIL qualification optionally up to SIL2

15. • 8. Conductive – Vegakon 66
conductive multiple rod level switch
Specs Details
Version compact level switch
Probe length up to 4 m
Process fitting thread G1½
Materials PPN
Process temperature -40 … +100 C
Process pressure -1 … +6 bar
(-100 … +600 kPa)

16. COMPARISON BETWEEN EACH TYPES OF TRANSDUCERS
Type of transducers Comparison
Vegapuls 62 (Radar) Both radar signals and microwaves travel at the
speed of light but for radar, frequency is from 88
to 108 MHz,
Vegaflex 86 (Guided Wave Radar) microwaves range from 1-300 GHz
Vegason 61 (Ultrasonic) have limited of range with low temperature
limitation
Vegacal 62 (Capacitive) have problem with electrode rod where gas
produce from distillation might affect
measurement
Vegawell 52 (Hydrostatic) have problem with temperature limitation
Fibertrac 31 (Radiation-based) they require a gamma radiation source and are
relatively expensive
Vegaswing 61 (Vibration) hard to measure due to measure target is gas
Vegakon 66 (Conductive) has limitation in temperature

17. REASONS OF CHOOSING GUIDED WAVE
RADAR FOR OUR PROCESS PLANT
• The VEGAFLEX 86 level sensor measures maintenance-free
all liquids under extreme pressure and temperature
conditions.
• Even in applications with build-up, foam generation and
condensation, the sensor delivers precise and reliable
measured values.
• In saturated steam applications, a special reference probe
ensures a density-independent measurement.
• offers an economical level and interface measurement for
your application.
• The guided microwave enables a simple, time-saving and
reliable setup

18. REASONS OF CHOOSING COLUMN PRESSURE WITH
VEGABAR 51
• The VEGABAR 51 pressure transmitter with its wide
temperature range is particularly suited for this
application – even extreme temperature fluctuations
during the start-up phase in the column do not affect the
transmitter.
• The sensor version with isolator can even be
implemented in temperatures up to 752 F (400 C).
• Reliable measurement independent of foam generation
and tank installations

19. REASONS OF CHOOSING ORIFICE METER
TECHNOLOGY FOR FLOW CONTROL
• Measures a wide range of flow rates
• Inexpensive when compared to many other flow meters
• Accurate

20. REASONS OF CHOOSING RESISTANCE
TEMPERATURE DETECTOR (RTD) SENSOR
FOR TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
• high accuracy is required in the range of 400K. Since accuracy is
required, a thermocouple is not recommended.
• Since the temperature range is outside the region for a thermistor, an
RTD sensor is recommended.
• Since there are a number of temperature measurements to be made,
like in a distillation column, having a temperature instrument for
every point can be cost prohibitive. Thus, high density temperature
transmitters such as RTD must be used.

21. MANIPULATED VARIABLES AND CONTROLLED
VARIABLES OF A DISTILLATION COLUMN
No Controlled Variables Manipulated
Variables
Control Valve
1 Column pressure Condenser duty Coolant flow V1
2 Concentration (temperature) of
distillate
Reflux flow rate Reflux flow V2
3 Liquid level in the reflux drum Distillate flow rate Distillate flow V3
4 Concentration (temperature) of
bottoms
Re-boiler duty Heat flow V4
5 Liquid level in the column base Bottoms flow rate Bottom flow V5

24. Q & A SESSION

25. THE END
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