Utilizing Simtronics SPM 700 distillation in engineering unit operation laboratory.

This paper introduces a novel virtual method to conduct continuous distillation experiment in an undergraduate unit operation laboratory with the help of SPM 700 Distillation Column, one of the modules available in Simtronics, a commercial process operation simulator. Simtronics simulator is a powerful tool to teach process industry skills and it is recognized in both industry and educational institutions. It also provides a virtual environment, which is clear and engaging, with navigational signs to guide a user through a process operation consisting of several unit operations. Hence, SPM 700 Distillation Column was utilized to conduct the continuous distillation experiment and acquire the experimental results virtually. The results were further validated by employing the McCabe-Thiele graphical method, which is considered the most instructive method for the analysis of binary distillation. Similarly, several other educational objectives of an undergraduate unit operation laboratory can be achieved.