Columns

Columns are essential components in the process engineering industry, used for the separation of mixtures of substances. They can be broadly classified into the following categories:

• Distillation columns: separation of liquid mixtures by heating and condensation.
• Scrubbing/absorption columns: Removal of impurities from gases by absorption into liquids.
• Stripper/desorption columns: Removal of dissolved substances from liquids by introducing gas.
• Drying columns: Removal of moisture from materials.

Partition columns are also part of our portfolio; these are high-performance columns used for the production of high-purity products with optimum energy efficiency. The process engineering requirements generally focus on:

• Re-engineering: Adapting existing processes to improve efficiency.
• Debottlenecking: Elimination of bottlenecks to increase capacity.
• Revamp: Modernisation of existing plants to improve performance.
• Energy optimisation: Targeted optimisation or redesign of distillation processes for the separation of multi-component mixtures.

DMT ENCOS offers a comprehensive range of services for EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) projects. Our highlights to date include:

• Thermodynamic and hydrodynamic simulations: Simulations of columns, ancillary equipment and processes, including dynamic simulations where required, to maximise efficiency and performance.
• Column simulation: Optionally based on separation stages or mass transfer, to develop the best separation solutions.
• Selection and specification: Process engineering specification of columns, column internals and vessels, as well as the necessary peripheral equipment, including reboilers, condensers, preheaters, flash drums, OvHD drums, pumps and reflux splitters.
• Structural design: Structural design of the vessels, including the necessary strength calculations and stability analyses, to ensure safety and reliability.
• Instrumentation and control concept: Development of an optimised control concept for the control and monitoring of the processes.