Principle:
Flash distillation involves a single-stage separation process where the liquid mixture is partially vaporized by rapidly reducing the pressure or increasing the temperature.
Methodology:
Feed Introduction: The liquid mixture is introduced into a flash chamber.
Pressure Reduction/Heating: The pressure is rapidly reduced, or the mixture is quickly heated, causing part of it to vaporize.
Separation: The vapor and liquid phases are separated within the chamber.
Collection: The vapor is condensed and collected, and the remaining liquid is withdrawn separately.
Uses:
Used in the petroleum industry for crude oil refining.
Separation of components with moderate differences in volatility.
Chemical processing and waste treatment.
Merits:
Continuous process, suitable for large-scale operations.
Efficient for mixtures with moderate differences in boiling points.
Simple operation and lower energy consumption compared to multiple-stage processes.
Demerits:
Less effective for mixtures with very close boiling points.
Requires precise control of temperature and pressure.
Limited to a single stage, providing less separation efficiency compared to multi-stage processes