To all of the plated column still experts...
I have been trying to find a single thread about plated column theory but can't.
Moderators, If one exists please guide me to it and delete this. Sorry that this will be an essay.
Does a plated column work like a series of thumpers, but with the ability for some liquid to move back down the column through the down comers to improve reflux efficiency?
I could be really wrong but have been struggling to put it all together in my head for a while.
How I understand it follows...
a perforated plate works by allowing vapour to rise through the small holes where it meets a layer of liquid. this transfers heat and reboils the lower boiling temp components in the liquid such that they rise up through the next plate. As such each plate has a higher purity than the one below.
A bubble cap serves a similar purpose to the perforated plate, just in an simpler build method with all steam rising through the centre of the cap and being forced laterally into the liquid rather than moving vertically through it?
Each plate has an open ended down comer pipe sitting above it to allow excess liquid to fall back down to the level below. The bottom of this pipe has a cup which fills with liquid to prevent vapour rising through it.
Do the sight glasses serve any real purpose other than looking really cool? Do you control the reflux coolant flow or heat input based on what you see on the plates? If so what are you looking for?
Am I close to understanding this and if not where am I wrong?
Sorry about the basic questions but as I said I am having trouble getting my head around this. I am not much of a tradesman, my shed is full of half finished projects and my house still has two rooms that I started renovating before I had any of my 4 kids. Wife might be more upset with this but I just point out the room full of half finished patchwork, kids clothes and knitting and we are both silent for a while.
If I start out trying to build one of these I want to know that I am going to be able to finish it. Spending the $$$$ with Mac looks like the most likely path to ensure completion of the project.
Thanks for the help that everyone contributes on the forum guys, I look forward to getting home to do more research on this hobby each night.
Cheers,
5 o'clock (somewhere)