Abstract
Experimental transient response data are presented for a twenty one-tray, 320mm diameter, bubble cap distillation column when a sudden change in reflux flow-rate is introduced. The column operated with the water-methanol system. The experimental transient response curves are distinguished into two regions, one is a short time region immediately after a change in reflux flow-rate where the response is determined mainly by transfer lag of a liquid stream in the column, the other is a long time region after the above mentioned region where the response is determined mainly by mass transfer. The response by mass transfer has very significant nonlinearity for a reflux flow-rate increase and decrease.
