What is the function of a stripping tower?
2 Answers
The function of a stripping tower is to recover the absorbed solute and separate it from the absorbent to achieve regeneration. Below is a detailed introduction to the stripping tower: 1. Principle of the stripping tower: Utilizing the fact that dirty condensate water from evaporators and cooking devices contains methanol and degraded organic sulfides that are more volatile than water, the dirty condensate water comes into contact with steam on the trays inside the tower. The condensate water flows horizontally along the trays, while the steam flows vertically upwards through the holes in the trays. The steam leaving the trays has a higher concentration of volatile compounds. 2. Forms of the stripping tower: It can be either a plate tower or a packed tower. Regardless of the form, the raw material enters the tower from the top and exits from the bottom; the stripping agent enters the tower from the bottom and contacts the liquid raw material countercurrently inside the tower, exiting the tower at the top along with the stripped components. Unlike an absorption tower, the concentrated end is at the top of the tower, and the dilute end is at the bottom. In the stripping tower, the equilibrium partial pressure of the solute in the liquid phase is greater than that in the gas phase. During the stripping process, solute molecules need to be transformed into gas, which is an endothermic process. Therefore, the temperature of the stripping agent is generally equal to or higher than that of the raw material; otherwise, the stripping efficiency will be reduced.
As someone with in-depth knowledge of automotive fuels, I must emphasize the crucial role of stripper towers! Imagine this: in oil refineries, stripper towers act as unsung heroes, specifically tasked with separating light vapor components from crude oil. This equipment heats the oil to evaporate volatile substances, leaving behind high-quality liquid fuel fractions. Why does this matter to our vehicles? Because it produces purified gasoline or diesel, ensuring cleaner and more efficient combustion in your engine, reducing carbon deposits and emission issues. I've experienced several instances of poor-quality fuel causing engine stuttering – truly frustrating. But thanks to stripper towers, fuels contain fewer impurities, delivering smoother acceleration and prolonging engine lifespan. It's fundamental technology every car enthusiast should understand! This explanation highlights why proper maintenance and selecting quality fuel during refueling are so vital.
