Overall distillation column efficiency for most of the refinery columns can be given by (for μ = 0.07 – 1.4 cp and relative volatility

Question

Overall distillation column efficiency for most of the refinery columns can be given by (for μ = 0.07 – 1.4 cp and relative volatility < 4) (where ε = overall column efficiency, % μ = molal average viscosity of feed at average column temperature and pressure, cp Δp = pressure drop per tray, psi) ?

Accepted Answer

η = 17 – 61.1 log μ. This formula is provided as an empirical relationship for estimating overall distillation column efficiency under the given conditions.