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NGL fractionation column cutaway

Explore an original vertical fractionation-column concept with seven individually perforated trays, alternating downcomer openings and separately marked feed, overhead, bottoms, reflux and reboiler boundaries.

Static preview of the ngl fractionation column cutaway schematic
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Drag to orbit · Scroll or pinch to zoom · Select a visible part or use the parts list. Keyboard: focus the view and use arrow keys to orbit.

HOW TO READ THIS MODEL

The system, explained.

A fractionation column can separate a mixed natural-gas-liquids stream into lighter overhead material and heavier bottoms using vapour–liquid contact. EIA describes fractionation as breaking a mixed NGL stream into component products; Emerson describes the column, overhead condenser, reflux and bottom reboiler roles; Sulzer describes trays and downcomers. This original static scene has seven separate trays with 20 true deck bores each, alternating downcomer openings, a complete hollow shell with four actual side bores, and open top and bottom product boundaries. External condenser and reboiler envelopes show where heat is removed or added, without claiming a continuous engineered circuit. The poster sections only the facing vessel wall; the interactive model retains it. The scene does not select a deethanizer, depropanizer or debutanizer product cut, even though those are real examples of NGL fractionation.

Model scope and limits

Original static educational vessel and role cues with invented geometry, proportions, materials and locations. Seven separately selectable decks each contain twenty real bores and an alternating geometric downcomer opening. The complete hollow column has four actual side openings; top and bottom exits are open. Adjacent reboiler and condenser envelopes are simplified role markers with incomplete utility and condensate circuits. No mixture analysis, target product, equilibrium stage, duty, pressure, temperature, heat balance, liquid level, tray hydraulics, downcomer sizing, flooding margin, efficiency, control, relief, material selection, exchanger design, pressure containment, operating procedure or safe service is established.

Further reading: U.S. EIA Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids report: mixed NGL fractionation sequence; no source artwork or layout copied ↗

Source links support further study; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What can the perforated trays and alternating downcomer openings establish?

Choose an answer

GUIDED COMPONENT STUDY

Trace the system.

Read each explanation, then focus its component in the explorer. This is a learning route through the model, with no operating or maintenance sequence.

  1. Begin at the mixed-liquid feed

    The feed neck meets a real side opening in the full shell. Its elevation is a teaching choice; actual feed condition and tray selection depend on design.

  2. Inspect the complete column wall

    The interactive vessel has an uninterrupted annular wall apart from four true side bores. The poster cuts only the facing half to expose internals. Neither view establishes a rated pressure boundary.

  3. Examine a perforated deck

    Twenty geometric deck bores and one downcomer opening are real. They are enlarged and invented, not a supplier tray or proof of vapour–liquid contact performance.

  4. Compare alternating downcomers

    The partition cue alternates side relative to neighbouring trays. Liquid transfer, residence time and flooding behaviour are not calculated.

  5. Find reflux return

    This upper side opening marks a possible liquid return from overhead handling. The model omits an accumulator, pump, split and control scheme.

  6. Follow the overhead boundary

    The top neck is open. The nearby condenser envelope shows a cooling role, but the route cue is not a complete pipe or proven condensate circuit.

  7. Read the bottom heat loop

    The separate envelope and two branches illustrate where heat can be added. They provide no selected exchanger, utility, duty or established vapour return path.

  8. Finish at the bottoms boundary

    The lower open neck is a heavier-product boundary. Composition and downstream destination require actual process data.

Additional primary references: U.S. EIA Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids report: mixed NGL stream and fractionation sequence ↗ · Emerson Oil and Gas Control Valve Sourcebook: fractionation, overhead condenser, reflux and reboiler roles ↗ · Sulzer distillation overview: tray/packing, condenser and reboiler functions ↗

Follow the six fractionation questions.

Read the text-first fractionation study ↗

Trace feed, tray openings, downcomers, bottom heat, overhead handling and evidence for a real product claim. The original column is not a selected plant or process design.

Ask the wider gas-processing questions.

Read the six-question Alberta gas-processing guide ↗

Compare these independent equipment concepts and see why an expansion machine, exchanger core and cold separator do not make a complete recovery plant.

ACCESSIBLE COMPONENT REFERENCE

Every part, in plain language.

Search all components ↗Model provenance ↗
Fractionation teaching display base

Presentation plinth, not a foundation. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Complete hollow column shell

Full annular vessel wall with four actual side openings. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open mixed NGL feed neck

Feed boundary near an intermediate tray. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open reflux return neck

Reflux liquid return boundary near the top. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open reboiler draw neck

Bottom liquid draw toward the reboiler role. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open reboiler return neck

Vapour-rich return concept from the reboiler. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Feed open flange marker

Unrated connection location. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reflux open flange marker

Unrated connection location. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler draw open flange marker

Unrated connection location. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler return open flange marker

Unrated connection location. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Top annular closure with vapour opening

Illustrative flat closure ring with axial opening. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open overhead vapour neck

Overhead boundary before cooling/condensing. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Bottom annular closure with liquid opening

Illustrative flat closure ring with axial opening. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Open bottoms product neck

Heavier liquid product boundary. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 1 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 1 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 1 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 2 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 2 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 2 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 3 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 3 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 3 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 4 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 4 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 4 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 5 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 5 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 5 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 6 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 6 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 6 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 7 open perforated deck

Original perforated deck with separate open holes; not a vendor tray or tested contact area. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 7 downcomer partition cue

Alternating liquid-transfer region; no weir or liquid level is established. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Tray 7 support ring

Independent support-location ring; no load design. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler role open cylindrical wall

External heating-equipment envelope only; no heat source or duty is modeled. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler lower open branch

Static relationship from column draw to heating role. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler upper open branch

Static relationship from heating role toward return. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler lower open entry

Open vessel branch; no engineered junction. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Reboiler upper open exit

Open vessel branch; no engineered junction. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Overhead condenser role envelope

Cooling/condensing role only, without utility or duty. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Overhead vapour route cue

Conceptual overhead route; elbow and actual connection omitted. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Condensed-liquid outlet cue

Open condensate boundary before any accumulator or split. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Column display support 1

Studio support only. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.

Column display support 2

Studio support only. Invented proportions and locations. No specified mixture, cut, pressure, temperature, heat duty, composition, tray efficiency, hydraulics, relief, controls, rating or safe operation.