Vacuum distillation nozzles
Vacuum distillation is used by the petroleum and chemical industries to help separate individual components and compounds from bulk process streams. This process plays an important role in the refining process to separate hydrocarbon fractions without high temperatures that could damage the fractions and cause coking. Vacuum is employed to lower the boiling point of the sprayed liquid reducing the temperatures at which the more volatile elements will flash and reducing the energy/heat input required.
Spray nozzles are frequently used to distribute the process fluids into the vacuum distillation units. Well atomised sprays produced by nozzles increase the exposed surface area of the process fluid and thereby increase the evaporation rate and separation efficiency. When packed columns are utilised in vacuum towers, where the gas side pressure drop must be low, spray nozzles also uniformly wet the packing, over which the gas flows and contacts the liquid.
