Reflux drum elevation, increase

Reflux Drum Elevation Increase Promotes Subcooling... 

Figure 13.4 Elevation increase of reflux drum increases tower pressure.

Elevation increase promotes subcooling. Once upon a time many years ago, a tragic event occurred in Louisiana. A rat entered the condenser outlet pipe shown in Fig. 13.4. The condenser had been off line for cleaning. The rat, having crawled up the riser pipe to the reflux drum, got its head stuck in the drum s inlet nozzle. Your author, unaware of the rodent s predicament, put the exchanger back into service. The condensed butane now flowed across the rat. The rat died. Well, we all must come to that end eventually, although perhaps not quite that exact end. Such is the way of all flesh. 

I have another way to explain how the condensed liquid can flow uphill from the condenser into the elevated reflux drum. That is, the liquid leaving the condenser is pushed into the reflux drum by the higher pressure in the tower. This will work okay, as long as the liquid entering the reflux drum is at its saturated bubble-point temperature and pressure. If this is not the case, then the vapors flashing out in the reflux drum will have to be vented. If you refuse to open this vent, then condensate backup must increase in the condenser, with a consequent reduction in the condenser s capacity. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , , ]

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