Smith-Brinkley fractionator

This section is a companion to the section titled Fractionators-Optimization Techniques. In that section the Smith-Brinkley method is recommended for optimization calculations and its use is detailed. This section gives similar equations for simple and reboiled absorbers. 

A more quantitative and lengthy method, but still very useful for checking of the type required here is the Smith-Brinkley method (Reference 5). It uses two sets of separation factors for the top and bottom parts of the column for a fractionator or reboiled absorber and one overall separation factor for a simple absorber. The method is tailor-made for analysis of a column design or a field installed column. The Smith-Brinkley method starts with the column parameters and calculates the resulting product compositions unlike other methods that require knowing the compositions to determine the required reflux. 

This author developed a reboiled absorber alternate from the Smith-Brinkley generalized equation, and friends have developed plant fractionator control algorithms using Smith-Brinkley. 

Smith-Brinkley shortcut method A quick procedure used to estimate the components in a multicomponent mixture leaving the top and bottom of a disfillation column operating with continuous feed. The procedure is applicable to any stage-wise separafion process. For a distillation column with a single feed and a total condenser, the fractional recovery of any component in the bottom product is calculated from details that include the reflux ratio, internal flows of liquid and vapour above and below the feed point (i.e., the rectifying and stripping sections), and the relative volatilities of the components. In the calculation, the reboiler counts as stage one. 

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