Different tray spacings for top and bottom in distillation column?

Question

Is it common to have different tray spacings for enriching and stripping section in a distillation column?

My column's diameter for top is larger than bottom, I can adjust the tray spacing to get the same diameter for top and bottom, any other idea to get the same diameter for both top and bottom?

Answer 1

The spacings actually needed for different experiments are usually determined experimentally. The spacing used for the distillation of two or more liquid with low boiling points is different than the spacing required for two or more liquids with high boiling points.

Both of these might be different than the separation of a mixture which contains both low and high boiling point liquids. There are general theoretical guidelines, but practical experience is best.