The Role of Ketchi & Distillation Columns in High-Purity Chemical Separation

In chemical manufacturing, solvent recovery, and petroleum refining, distillation columns and Ketchi columns are the workhorses responsible for separating multi-component mixtures into pure chemical fractions based on differences in relative volatility.

At Vishwakarma Engineering, we design and manufacture high-efficiency distillation towers and Ketchi column shells that maximize vapor-liquid contact while minimizing operating pressure drop.

Depending on the feed properties, operational foaming tendency, and desired throughput, columns are engineered with specific internal configurations:

• Bubble Cap Trays: Ideal for wide operating turn-down ratios and processes prone to fouling where positive liquid seal is necessary.
• Sieve & Valve Trays: Cost-effective, high-capacity trays providing excellent vapor dispersion for standard solvent fractionation.
• Structured Corrugated Packing: Provides maximum theoretical plates per meter (HETP) with minimal pressure drop, ideal for heat-sensitive chemicals and vacuum distillation systems.
• Random Packing (Pall Rings / Raschig Rings): Robust, economic packing choice for scrubbing columns and acid absorption towers.

Due to the substantial height-to-diameter ratio of distillation columns (often exceeding 20 meters), fabrication tolerances are critical:

• Perpendicularity & Plumbness: Precision laser alignment ensures column shell straightness within 1:1000 tolerance to avoid uneven liquid pooling across tray surfaces.
• Tray Support Ring Leveling: In-house machining and laser-leveled welding of internal tray support rings guarantee uniform liquid hold-up across every stage.
• Wind Load & Seismic Anchor Design: Heavy skirt base rings with reinforced anchor bolt chairs designed to withstand high coastal winds and seismic forces.