Thesis Abstract

This is an abstract on the construction of a packed distillation column. A packed distillation column is used in the separating process distillation that is the separation of two miscible liquids.
It was constructed by marking out the dimension of the column, condenser, pot, using steel rule scriber, oxyacetylene flame was used for cutting after which the work piece were center punched and drilled using the drilling machine. At last they were folded, shaped, welded tested, finished and painted.

For condenser, 650, 120, 114 for height, external and internal diameter respectively. For boiler pot, 450, 240, 236 for height, external and internal diameter respectively all in mm dimension.
It was generally required that stainless steel be used totally for the construction as the standardized Material but due to tits cost, galvanized metal was used. Using the constructed packed distillation column, a fermented palm wine can be distilled to collect gin as the distillate. In comparing the standardized distillation column with the Oni constructed it was rated 80% due to cost of materials (galvanized of construction used. But the standard material of construction that was supposed to be used is stainless steel.
At the end of the construction the cost was (N9, 000). Nine thousand Naira from the direct labour condenser etc. the cost is as a result of economy situation in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

Distillation seems to have been mentioned firstly by a man called Aristotle (384 – 322BC), he coined it when he described seawater being evaporated to make drinking water. The Romans and Alexandrians (from Alexandria, Egypt) distilled pure wood resin to condense the oil of turpentine (tarps), which boiled off. These processes make use of air – coded condensing arms (outlet from the boiling vessel), which also allowed the most volatile component to escape. It was probably the Arabians who first used a water-cooked arm, and using this method discovered various oils (natural plant oils, used mostly as flavouring or perfume) by distilling plant juice. Later the chemists, using a distillation apparatus known as an Alembic, were able to prepare a relatively pure nitric acid and other mineral acids.
The preparation of alcoholic beverages by distillation has taken place since antiquity. Distillation has taken place since antiquity. Distilled alcohol, probably discovered in Italy in the early twelfth century, was at first used as a medicine.

Distillation is a method used in separation of mixture and the separation of mixture is one of the major processes of the chemical industries and distillation is the most widely used method of achieving this end.

Thus the basic requirement for a separation of components by distillation is that the composition of the vapour be different from the composition of the liquid with which it is in equilibrium. If the vapour composition is the same as the liquid composition distillation processes will not effect a separation. But in a case where the vapour composition is greater than the liquid, composition, and distillation process will effect a good separation and a difficult one is affected if the vapour composition is less than that of the liquid.

In practice, distillation may be carried out either by two principal methods. The first method is based on the production of a vapour by boiling the liquid mixtures to be separated and condensing the vapour without allowing any liquid to return to the still. There is then no reflux. The second method is based on the return of part of the condensate to the still, under such conditions that this liquid returning is brought into intimate contact with the vapour on their way to the condenser. It is known as rectification with reflux.

1.2 DEFINITION

Distillation is defined as the process involved in the conversion of a substance into a vapour that is subsequently condensed to liquid form. The operation may be employed to separate