英文原文作者及信息：Ming T. Tham，目前就职于英国纽卡斯尔大学化学工程和先进材料系（位于泰恩河上纽卡斯尔市）

The author of the English version of the following article is Ming T. Than, currently with the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials，Newcastle University，Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

TYPES OF DISTILLATION COLUMNS 精馏塔种类

There are many types of distillation columns, each designed to perform specific types of separations, and each design differs in terms of complexity. 精馏塔有很多种，每种塔均设计用于进行特定种类的分离，每种设计的复杂程度均存在差异。

Batch and Continuous Columns 间歇和连续精馏塔

One way of classifying distillation column type is to look at how they are operated. Thus we have:精馏塔分类的方法之一是看精馏塔的操作方式。据此可分为：

batch and 间歇精馏塔，和

continuous columns. 连续精馏塔。

Batch Columns 间歇精馏塔

In batch operation, the feed to the column is introduced batch-wise. That is, the column is charged with a 'batch' and then the distillation process is carried out. When the desired task is achieved, a next batch of feed is introduced. 在间歇操作中，精馏塔进料是间歇进行的，即，先向塔内填充一批料，然后开始精馏过程。当目标任务完成后，再进下一批物料。

Continuous Columns 连续精馏塔

In contrast, continuous columns process a continuous feed stream. No interruptions occur unless there is a problem with the column or surrounding process units. They are capable of handling high throughputs and are the most common of the two types. We shall concentrate only on this class of columns. 相反，连续精馏塔处理连续进料。除非精馏塔或周围的生产装置出现问题，否则不会出现间断。连续精馏塔能够处理大流量进料，是两种精馏塔中最常用的一种。我们将注意力集中在这种精馏塔上。

Types of Continuous Columns 连续精馏塔种类

Continuous columns can be further classified according to: 根据以下标准，连续精馏塔可以进一步分为：

the nature of the feed that they are processing, 根据处理的进料性质：

binary column - feed contains only two components 二元精馏塔——进料只包含两种组分

multi-component column - feed contains more than two components 多组分精馏塔——进料包含两种以上组分

the number of product streams they have 根据馏出物的数量：

multi-product column - column has more than two product streams 多馏出物精馏塔——精馏塔有两种以上馏出物

where the extra feed exits when it is used to help with the separation, 根据用于帮助分离的补充进料的排出位置：

extractive distillation - where the extra feed appears in the bottom product stream 萃取精馏——补充进料出现在塔釜馏出物中

azeotropic distillation - where the extra feed appears at the top product stream 恒沸精馏——补充进料出现在塔顶馏出物中

the type of column internals 根据精馏塔内件的种类：

tray column – where trays of various designs are used to hold up the liquid to provide better contact between vapour and liquid, hence better separation 塔板塔——采用不同设计的塔板拦截液体物料，以增加汽体和液体物料之间的接触，达到更佳分离效果

packed column - where instead of trays, 'packings' are used to enhance contact between vapour and liquid 填料塔——采用“填料”，而不是塔板，增加汽液接触