Continuous and Batch Distillation in an Oldershaw Tray Column

The importance of distillation in the separation field prompts the inclusion of distillation experiments in the chemical engineering curricula. This work describes the performance of an Oldershaw column in the rectification of a cyclohexane/n-heptane mixture. Total reflux distillation, continuous rectification under partial reflux, and batch rectification at constant reflux were studied. With this experimental work, students practice several relevant distillation concepts, and also the use of chemical engineering simulation software.