Industrial Distillation Equipment
Leaders in delivery of customized solutions and distillation equipment for the separation and purification made to the specific requirements of each customer.
Customized Solutions & Distillation Equipment
Distillation equipment is used for the separation and purification of chemical constituents in a process stream, and RCM Thermal Kinetics offers several solutions that are customized for the specific requirements of each customer.
Experience with complex process operations, including evaporation, distillation, adsorption, and related heat and mass transfer processes, is a cornerstone of our team’s expertise.
Christopher J Brown, Founder of RCM Thermal Kinetics
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Distillation Design & Technology
Distillation is one of the most reliable, cost-effective methods of chemical separation and is a crucial step or “unit operation” in a wide range of industrial processes. RCM Thermal Kinetics provides both “Modular” and “Field-erected” Distillation systems that support many industries, including:
- General Chemical Production
- Petrochemicals
- Renewable Fuels
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food Processing
- Mining
- Agriculture
Distillation is a separation processes involving both Heat and Mass transfer. While there are many methods for separating chemical compounds, distillation has been proven to be the most reliable and economical design for many applications.
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Single Stage & Multiple Stage Separation Process
Before delving into the specifics of the distillation process and design considerations, it is important to first establish the difference between single and multiple stage separation processes in general.
One single stage of separation is defined as evaporation In this process, one volatile component is removed in a solution by heating and consequently boiling the solution. The more volatile component in the solution is vaporized and removed from the process.
Multiple-effect evaporation applies several stages of evaporation in the separation process. In multiple effect evaporation, the process is limited by the sequential process design.
Distillation employs the same multi-stage principle in countercurrent stages to allow for a more efficient process minimizing waste from the system.
Thermal Kinetics
Modern Solutions
For more complicated distillation systems with three or more components, computer-based simulation software is used in the design process. Two popular brands of software are Aspen and ChemCad. The software programs allow designers to select an appropriate VLE model for the mixture and generate accurate predictions and distillation-stage calculations.
The more complex systems also may require pilot testing for final design validation. RCM Thermal Kinetics can help develop Pilot Testing Equipment unique to a given test system. These pilot runs provide valuable data for statistical analysis and development of a more robust simulation model. These customized solutions are invaluable for more complex systems that can otherwise be difficult to validate.
Where Science Meets Sustainability at RCM
Full-service design and execution for distillation and chemical separations, focusing on fuel ethanol and specialty renewable energy solutions.