hit counter
Skip to main content

Your Files Are Being Processed

70% Complete

Please Wait

Cart
View Your Price Quote

Enter your Quote ID and Email address to view your price quote.

10 Columns For Sale

Featured Columns

Used Columns

Aaron Equipment Company has a large inventory of new, reconditioned, unused, and used industrial columns. Browse our inventory of distillation columns, chromaflow columns, vapor recovery columns, and acid reduction columns. Columns are vertical structures used in various industrial processes to facilitate the transfer of materials, such as gases, liquids, or solids, in order to achieve specific separation, reaction, or heat exchange tasks. Columns are essential in a wide range of industries, including chemical processing, petrochemical refining, food production, and environmental control. Buying a used column from Aaron Equipment makes sense because of our vast inventory, cost-savings versus buying new, length of delivery time, and ease of payment. If you do not find the industrial column that you are looking for, contact a sales representative to help you find a new or used mixer that meets your needs. If you are looking to sell your used column submit a request online or contact Erik Eichert at 630-238-7480.

View Columns by Manufacturer

Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Used Industrial Column

Distillation and Chromatography: Your Guide To Understanding Industrial Columns
Industrial columns are essential in various manufacturing processes. They play a critical role in distillation and chromatography. These towering structures help separate and purify chemical compounds effectively. In this guide, we will explore the fundamentals of industrial columns. You'll learn about their functions and applications in different industries. Understanding these concepts will help you appreciate their significance in modern processes and how used columns are cost-effective solutions for upgrading existing industrial columns.

What Are Industrial Columns?
Industrial columns are large, cylindrical structures used in chemical processing to separate mixtures into their components. They rely on principles of physics and chemistry, such as boiling point differences and molecular interactions, to achieve this separation. These columns are engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including high temperatures and pressures, ensuring their durability and reliability in demanding environments. The design and operation of industrial columns are tailored to the specific needs of the process they support. Factors such as the nature of the mixture, desired purity, and production scale influence column design. Innovative column designs can  improve separation efficiency. Understanding these aspects is crucial for optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial columns in various applications including the environmental considerations when using industrial distillation columns.

The Basics of Distillation Columns
Distillation columns are among the most common types of industrial columns. They separate mixtures based on differences in boiling points. The process involves heating a liquid mixture to create vapor, which rises through the column. The vapor cools and condenses into a liquid on trays or packing materials as it ascends. This repeated process results in the separation of components with different boiling points. Distillation columns are used in a wide range of applications, from refining crude oil to producing spirits in the beverage industry. Their efficiency depends on factors such as the number of trays, column height, and the type of packing used. Engineers often employ simulations and experiments to fine-tune these parameters, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Understanding Chromatography Columns
Chromatography columns, on the other hand, separate mixtures based on differences in molecular interactions and consist of stationary and mobile phases. The mixture is introduced into the column, and as it travels through, the components interact differently with the stationary phase, leading to separation. Chromatography is essential in laboratories for analyzing and purifying compounds. The versatility of chromatography columns makes them invaluable in research and development, allowing scientists to isolate and study specific compounds. Different types of chromatography, such as gas or liquid chromatography, cater to varying analytical needs. Each type employs unique stationary and mobile phases, tailored to the chemical properties of the analyzed substances.

Key Components of Industrial Columns
Understanding the structure and components of industrial columns is crucial for optimizing their performance:

  • Trays and Packing: In distillation columns, trays and packing materials are the surfaces where vapor and liquid interact. Trays are horizontal plates with holes that allow vapor to pass through, promoting contact with the liquid. Packing materials, such as Raschig rings or structured packing, increase the surface area for vapor-liquid interaction, enhancing separation efficiency. The choice between comparing packed vs. tray distillation columns for separation processes depends on the specific requirements of the separation process. Trays are often preferred for high-throughput operations, whereas packing is ideal for achieving high separation efficiency and lower pressure drop. Innovations in packing design continue to enhance the performance of distillation columns, contributing to energy savings and improved product quality.
  • Reboilers and Condensers: Reboilers are heat exchangers located at the bottom of distillation columns. They provide the necessary heat to vaporize the liquid mixture, initiating the separation process. Conversely, condensers are found at the top and cool the rising vapor, turning it back into a liquid that can be collected or returned to the column for further separation. The efficiency of reboilers and condensers is pivotal to a distillation column's overall performance. Advances in heat exchanger technology have led to more efficient designs, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Proper maintenance of these components is essential to prevent fouling and scaling, impairing heat transfer, and disrupting column operations.
  • Stationary and Mobile Phases in Chromatography: Chromatography columns rely on stationary and mobile phases for separation. The stationary phase is a solid or liquid material that remains fixed inside the column, while the mobile phase is a liquid or gas that carries the mixture through the column. The interaction between the components and the stationary phase determines the separation outcome. The appropriate stationary and mobile phases are critical for achieving the desired separation results. Factors such as polarity, molecular weight, and solubility of the target compounds influence phase selection. Researchers continually develop new stationary phases to enhance separation efficiency and expand the capabilities of chromatography columns in various applications.

Applications of Industrial Columns
Industrial columns are used in a wide range of applications across various industries. Here are some notable examples:

  • Oil and Gas Industry: In the oil and gas industry, distillation columns are essential for refining crude oil into valuable products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. These columns separate the crude oil into fractions based on boiling points, enabling the production of different fuels and petrochemicals. The complexity of crude oil refining requires precise control over distillation processes to maximize yield and product quality. Advanced distillation techniques, such as vacuum distillation and fractional distillation, are employed to efficiently separate heavy and light fractions. Integrating automation and control systems further enhances the efficiency and safety of distillation operations in this industry.
  • Pharmaceutical Industry: In pharmaceuticals, both distillation and chromatography columns play critical roles. Distillation purifies solvents and separates active pharmaceutical ingredients from impurities. Chromatography, however, is vital for analyzing complex mixtures, ensuring the purity of drugs, and isolating specific compounds for further study. The pharmaceutical industry's stringent regulatory standards necessitate the use of precise separation techniques to ensure product safety and efficacy. Chromatography columns, particularly high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are indispensable for quality control and validation. Column materials and design innovations continue to advance pharmaceutical research and manufacturing capabilities.
  • Chemical Industry: The chemical industry relies heavily on industrial columns to produce various chemicals and materials. Distillation columns separate feedstocks into desired products, while chromatography columns assist in quality control and purification processes. These columns ensure the consistency and quality of chemical products. Industrial columns enable the efficient production of essential chemicals, such as solvents, polymers, and specialty chemicals, by facilitating precise separation and purification. Optimizing industrial column performance in chemical processing and the adaptibility allows manufacturers to meet diverse market demands while adhering to environmental and safety regulations.

How To Select The Right Industrial Column For Your Process
Selecting the appropriate industrial column for a specific application requires careful consideration of several factors:

  • Mixture Composition: The composition of the mixture to be separated is a critical factor in choosing the right column. Distillation columns are often suitable for mixtures with significant boiling point differences. However, chromatography columns may be more effective for complex mixtures with similar boiling points. Analyzing the chemical properties of the mixture helps determine the most efficient separation method. Computational modeling and pilot testing are often employed to simulate separation processes and evaluate column performance, ensuring optimal selection for specific applications.
  • Operating Conditions: Operating conditions, such as temperature and pressure, are significant in column selection. High-temperature processes may require specialized materials to withstand the conditions, while pressure-sensitive mixtures may necessitate specific column designs. Customizing column design to accommodate unique operating conditions enhances process efficiency and longevity. Engineers must consider material compatibility, thermal stability, and pressure ratings to ensure safe and effective column operation under varying conditions.
  • Desired Purity and Yield: The desired purity and yield of the final product also influence column selection. Distillation columns can achieve high-purity separations but may require multiple stages or columns. Chromatography columns, while providing high purity, may have lower yields and slower processing times. Balancing purity and yield is essential for cost-effective production. Process engineers often explore hybrid separation techniques, combining distillation and chromatography, to achieve optimal results. This approach leverages the strengths of each method, enhancing overall process efficiency and product quality.

Maintenance and Optimization of Industrial Columns
To ensure the efficient operation of industrial columns, it is best practices for industrial column maintenance, cleaning, and optimization and are critical to avoid troubleshooting common issues with chromatography columns in manufacturing:

  • Routine Inspections: Regular inspections of columns, trays, packing, and other components are crucial to identify wear, corrosion, or damage. Timely addressing these issues prevents operational disruptions and ensures consistent performance. Implementing a proactive maintenance schedule helps extend the lifespan of industrial columns and reduce downtime. Advanced inspection techniques, such as non-destructive testing and infrared thermography, detect potential issues before they escalate, safeguarding column integrity and performance.
  • Cleaning and Regeneration: Periodic cleaning and regeneration of columns are necessary to remove fouling or contaminants that can hinder separation efficiency. Proper cleaning methods depend on the column type and the nature of the pollutants. Selecting the appropriate cleaning agents and techniques minimizes the risk of damaging column components. Automated cleaning systems and innovative regeneration technologies enhance cleaning efficacy, reducing the frequency of maintenance and ensuring optimal column performance.
  • Monitoring and Control: Implementing monitoring and control systems allows for real-time tracking of column performance. Operators can adjust temperature, pressure, and flow rates to optimize separation processes and enhance productivity. Advanced control systems integrate data analytics and machine learning to predict column behavior and optimize operational parameters. This approach facilitates adaptive process management, enabling industries to achieve higher efficiency and quality in their separation processes.

Top Industrial Column Brands
While many reputable manufacturers exist, the US market has shown a preference for the following brands:

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck KGaA (MilliporeSigma), Cytiva (formerly GE Healthcare Life Sciences), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, and many more!

Industrial columns are indispensable tools in modern manufacturing. They enable the separation and purification of chemical compounds across various industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and chemical. You can make informed decisions about their use and optimization by understanding their principles, components, and applications.

Related Columns Links

Cash Icon
Surplus Equipment?

We pay "Top Dollar" for your idle process equipment! Fill out our form and our buying team will get back to you.

SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT
Search Icon
Browse Inventory

View our entire process equipment inventory online or visit our location for an equipment inspection.

View Inventory
Phone Icon
Contact Us

Contact Us

630-350-2200