CFD Analysis of Mass Transfer Parameters in SCC Distillation Columns

Spinning Cone Column (SCC) is one of the distillation columns with applications in the food processing industries. Modeling and simulation of these columns are very complicated, due to the geometrical complexity, rotational parts, and different flow regimes inside SCC columns. Most of the published works on simulation of SCC columns were related to air/water systems, therefore application of these results to real flavour systems has challenges. In this study the mass transfer parameters including liquid film thickness, gas and liquid-side mass transfer coefficients and HETP are reported for steam stripping of ethanol/ water solution. The pilot scale SCC column has a diameter of 0.347m with 30 cone sets and 1.2m height. The average predicted gas and liquid–side mass transfer coefficients are 1.42 and 0.019 (s-1), respectively. Results show that gas and liquid-side mass transfer coefficients are nearly constant over the operating ranges of gas and liquid flow rates. The predicted HETPs range from 0.072 to 0.246m. HETPs were increased by increasing gas rate. The predicted HETPs are in close agreement with the data reported in literature.