Graphite Tray Columns

Buying and Selling Unused, Used and Reconditioned Tray - Graphite Columns

Graphite columns are common in very corrosive chemical process applications that require temperature resistance and high tolerance for thermal shock. They can be used for distillation, absorption, scrubbing, and recovery operations such as adiabatic absorption; separation of acid mixtures by distillation; purification of highly aggressive flue gases; desorption of hydrogen chlorides. All graphite columns can be supplied with packing or trays including graphite bubble cap trays, sieve trays and tunnel cap trays. Packed graphite columns are available with graphite raschig rings or ceramic/plastic packing. Tray column that uses graphite as its packing material are best for applications where metallic (steel or high alloy) may reach and prove ineffective with the feed liquid or distillate. How it works: Feed Liquid is introduced into a series of trays or into the packing material where gravity pulls it downward toward a boiler.  As the fluids reach their individual boiling points they become vapor. The vapors pass up the column through the cascading feed. Once they reach the top - they are condensed and saved as distillate. The process can be batch or continuous depending on the feed supply and demand.

Graphite columns are commonly used in the production of hydrochloric acid and HCL gas, and seen in HCL synthesis units, MDI/TDI or metallurgical process, and waste incineration units. Graphite columns are also used frequently in sulfuric acid plants – for dilution and concentration of H2SO4.

Major manufacturers of graphite columns include Carbone of America, Sulzer, SGL Group, Mersen and Schwabel Fabrications among others.