What Is a Distillation Column?
A distillation column is a vertical pressure vessel equipped with internal components — such as trays or packing — along with a reboiler for vaporization and a condenser for cooling. Together, these elements separate a feed mixture into distinct product streams based on each component's volatility.
The core working principle is straightforward: a liquid mixture is fed into the column at an intermediate point (the feed tray), which divides the column into two sections:
Rectification (Enriching) Section – upper portion, where lighter, more volatile components rise as vapor
Stripping Section – lower portion, where heavier, less volatile components descend as liquid
Vapor travels upward through the column, making repeated contact with descending liquid across trays or packing material. This vapor-liquid interaction drives the separation, with lighter components accumulating at the top as distillate and heavier components collected at the bottom as bottoms product. A portion of the condensed liquid is returned to the column as reflux, improving separation sharpness and product purity.
Precision-Engineered Separation Equipment by R & D Therm (I) Pvt. Ltd.
At R & D Therm (I) Pvt. Ltd. (A Konark Global Co.), we design, fabricate, and deliver high-performance distillation columns built to the most demanding industrial standards. Trusted across pharmaceutical, chemical, oil & gas, petrochemical, food & beverage, and aromatics sectors, our distillation columns are custom-engineered to your exact process requirements — delivering superior separation efficiency, structural integrity, and long-term operational reliability.
From process design to final delivery, our tagline says it all: Design. Fabricate. Deliver.
Our Distillation Column Specifications
R & D Therm manufactures distillation columns across a wide range of sizes and process parameters. Every column is designed to meet your specific process conditions — not just standard catalogue specs.
These tight tolerances on linearity and ovality reflect our commitment to fabrication excellence — ensuring proper internal alignment, efficient vapor-liquid distribution, and consistent long-term performance.
Materials of Construction
We fabricate distillation columns in a comprehensive range of materials, selected based on your process fluid, temperature, pressure, and corrosion requirements:
Our material expertise means your column is not just code-compliant — it is optimized for the life of your process.
Industries We Serve
R & D Therm distillation columns are active across some of the most demanding industrial environments in India and beyond:
Pharmaceutical - Purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), solvent recovery, and production of high-purity intermediates — all under hygiene-critical fabrication standards using SS 316/316L and Hastelloy construction.
Chemical - Separation and purification of organic and inorganic chemical compounds, acid recovery, and solvent fractionation across batch and continuous processing plants.
Oil & Gas - Crude fractionation, gas-condensate separation, and naphtha splitting — where large-diameter columns, high design pressures, and reliable structural performance are non-negotiable.
Petrochemical - Separation of aromatic hydrocarbons, ethylene-propylene fractionation, and BTX processing for petrochemical plants requiring precision multi-stage separation.
Food & Beverages - Alcohol distillation, essential oil extraction, and flavour concentrate purification in food-safe materials — meeting hygiene and regulatory standards for the food processing industry.
Aromatics - High-purity separation of benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX), and other aromatic streams for the specialty chemicals and aromatics manufacturing sector.
Why Choose R & D Therm for Your Distillation Column?
✅ End-to-End In-House Capability We design, fabricate, and deliver entirely in-house — giving you a single accountable partner from engineering drawings to final dispatch. No outsourcing. No quality gaps.
✅ Tight Fabrication Tolerances Our columns meet linearity within 3 mm/3 m and ovality ≤ 0.5% of ID — tolerances that directly impact vapor-liquid distribution quality and overall column efficiency.
✅ Wide Material Expertise Six materials of construction — SS 304/304L, SS 316/316L, Hastelloy, Copper, Carbon Steel, and Inconel — mean we can handle any process chemistry your application demands.
✅ Multi-Industry Track Record Proven experience across pharmaceutical, chemical, oil & gas, petrochemical, food & beverages, and aromatics industries ensure we understand your process — not just the vessel.
✅ Part of the Konark Global Network As a Konark Global Company, R & D Therm brings global engineering standards, supply chain strength, and quality assurance to every project.
✅ Custom-Engineered for Your Process Every distillation column we build begins with your process data — feed composition, desired separation, operating conditions, and site constraints — and is engineered from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What diameter and length distillation columns can R & D Therm manufacture? We fabricate distillation columns up to 6 m in diameter and 50 m in length, making us equipped for large industrial-scale separation requirements.
What materials do you offer for distillation column fabrication? We work with SS 304/304L, SS 316/316L, Hastelloy, Copper, Carbon Steel, and Inconel — selected based on your process fluid compatibility, operating temperature, pressure, and corrosion requirements.
Which industries does R & D Therm serve with distillation columns? We serve the pharmaceutical, chemical, oil & gas, petrochemical, food & beverages, and aromatics industries — with relevant material and design expertise for each sector.
What is the maximum design pressure for your distillation columns? Our distillation columns are designed for operating pressures up to 50 Bar(g) and temperatures up to 400°C.
Does R & D Therm handle design, fabrication, and delivery? Yes — our complete in-house capability covers process and mechanical design, fabrication, inspection, and delivery. We are a full-service equipment partner under one roof.
Can you fabricate distillation columns for corrosive chemical service? Absolutely. For aggressive chemical environments, we offer Hastelloy and Inconel construction, which provide excellent resistance to strong acids, oxidizing agents, and high-temperature corrosive media.
Rectification (Enriching) Section – upper portion, where lighter, more volatile components rise as vapor
Stripping Section – lower portion, where heavier, less volatile components descend as liquid
Questions buyers ask first.
What sizes can R&D Therm fabricate?
We can fabricate equipment up to 4.5 m in shell diameter, 33 m in overall length and 42 MT single-piece weight.
Which codes and certifications do you build to?
We are ASME U-Stamp certified for pressure vessels, IBR-approved for boilers and steam pressure parts, and routinely build to PED (CE marked) for European exports.
Do you handle exotic-alloy fabrication?
Yes — titanium, Hastelloy C-22 / C-276, duplex and super-duplex stainless steels, Sanicro 28 and 904L are routine work for our welding division.
What is your typical delivery timeline?
Standard pressure vessels and heat exchangers typically ship in 12–16 weeks. Larger columns, reactors and skids ship in 16–22 weeks.
Do you provide third-party inspection support?
Yes — we work routinely with Lloyd's Register, BV, TUV, DNV, SGS and customer-nominated inspection agencies.
What does R&D Therm do?
R&D Therm designs and manufactures process equipment including pressure vessels, heat exchangers, reactors, columns and process skids for industries such as chemical, pharma, oil & gas, etc.
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What materials does R&D Therm fabricate with?
We fabricate in carbon steel (SA516 Gr. 70), stainless steel (304L/316L and higher grades), duplex and super-duplex, and other alloy materials as specified by the customer.
Build with R&D Therm
