In this study a propane-propylene rectification column was investigated in terms of
diameter of the column, number of trays, reflux ratio and the construction material
costs of the column. During the calculations the reflux ratio was modified between
8 and 30. The chosen material of the column and trays was 1.4404 grade austenitic
steel.
The calculation has shown that with higher reflux ratio the diameter of the column
and the number of trays were changing. Next, the necessary wall thickness of the shell
of the column was determined with strength calculation.
A material cost function was also determined with these parameters applying various
reflux ratio values. From the results it can be concluded that the optimal reflux
ratio is 12, because in this case the material cost function has a minimum point.
