Column Separation Factor Plot
This window is used to select the light and heavy key components whose separation factors have to be plotted as a function of the tray number. The plot will be displayed using the default Plot Viewer, and may be saved in a .plt file.
This plot was first suggested by Hengstebeck, where the logarithm of the ratio of the light key mole fraction divided by the heavy key mole fraction is plotted versus the tray number. A classic "S" shaped curve is produced, with the inflection point at the column feed tray for properly designed columns. The plot is useful for analysis of the column feed point and tray performance.
Usage
Select the light and heavy key components from the drop-down list boxes, where a range of consecutive components may be designated as the light or heavy key by using an ending component different from the beginning component.
The light key is that component which is mostly (but not completely) recovered in the overhead product. The heavy key is that component which is mostly (but not completely) recovered in the bottom product. Sometimes there is a split key, i.e., a component or components which fall between the light and heavy keys in the column recovery table. Selection of the proper key components is essential when using the separation factor profile for column analysis.
Push the Plot button to display the plot.
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