Condenser Distillation column wall Valve

Butane and lighter components

Weir Light straight run naphtha

Heavy straight run naphtha

Kerosene Liquid downcomer

Trays

Valve trays
A variety of tray designs are used to improve the separation process in a distillation column. In this system, the vapour rises through valves set into each tray to enhance contact with the liquid flowing over it. Unvapourised liquid cascades over a weir onto the next level down.
Diesel

Atmospheric gas oil

Heater

Reboiler

Crude oil

Crude tower bottoms (SRAR)

Crude oil distillation

A distillation column partially vapourises liquid feedstock so that the resulting gas and liquid components can be separated. The column contains a number of stages, called trays, to achieve a higher degree of separation. Vapour rises up the column, bubbling through the liquid cascading down the column from tray to tray. Lighter, lower boiling point components tend to be driven upwards until they reach a level where the pressure and temperature is similar to their own. Similarly, heavier, higher boiling point components are driven down the column. Consequently, vapour becomes richer in lighter components as it rises while liquid becomes richer in heavy components as it descends, resulting in overall separation of the feedstock.