Evaluation of Presented Relations for Pressure Drop Calculations in Styrene Monomer/Ethylbenzene Packed Distillation Columns

Polymer production is one of the important problems in packed distillation columns. Low pressure drop or additions of inhibitors for reducing polymer production are suitable methods for prevention of undesirable phenomena. Because of deep relation between polymerization, inhibitors and pressure drop, present research was introduced in three parts. In first step, different packing types that are used in styrene monomer / ethylbenzene separation columns are discussed. Secondly, commercial inhibitors used in these columns were discussed. Different researches have been performed for estimating pressure drop in styrene monomer packed columns. Bravo (1989) and Stichmailer (1997) relations are examples of them. In this investigation pressure drop was calculated by these relations and their advantages were presented. As a result, Bravo and Stichmailer relations have good accuracy in columns with high diameter, low pressure drop and low bed height. For other conditions, Stichmailer relation has suitable and use of Bravo equation led to high errors in estimation of pressure drop.