Perforated Plate Column Studies by the Box Method of Experimentation

This study verifies the applicability of the Box method of experimentation for correlating efficiency and pressure drop with operating and design variables of a perforated plate column. The independent variables were reflux ratio, vapor mass velocity, weir height, and hole diameter. A second- order polynomial equation with all possible second-order interactions included was selected. The constants were evaluated by a least squares fit of 246 data points and with 28 data points selected by the Box design technique. The lack of fit variance and confidence limits were established for each equation. The Box correlations for efficiency and pressure drop agreed with experimental data in the range of its design. Comparison of the two equations for efficiency showed the Box-designed equation to be satisfactory. (auth)