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Thermosiphon Reboiler Driving Head Calculator engineering
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Thermosiphon Reboiler Driving Head Calculator

Calculate natural circulation driving head, two-phase riser mixture density, frictional pressure loss, and liquid recirculation ratio in vertical thermosiphon reboilers.

Reboiler Elevation & Vaporization

Standard: 8 ft to 16 ft (2.4m - 4.8m)
Relative to upper tube sheet
Recommended: 10% to 25% for stable circulation

Hydraulic Drive & Recirculation

Net Driving Head (ΔP_drive):
Recirculation Ratio (R):
Two-Phase Riser Density:
Inlet Leg Static Head:
Flow Stability Assessment:

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does a vertical thermosiphon reboiler work without a circulation pump?

Dense liquid in the column bottom sump feeds the reboiler inlet. Boiling inside the vertical tubes generates low-density vapor-liquid mixture. The hydrostatic pressure difference between the liquid inlet leg and two-phase riser drives spontaneous natural recirculation.

Why is vaporization percentage kept below 25%–30%?

Excessive vaporization reduces liquid film thickness on tube walls, leading to film boiling dryout, localized hot spots, severe fouling, and cyclic density wave oscillations.

What happens if the liquid level in the sump drops below the top tube sheet?

If sump liquid level drops significantly below 100% of tube bundle height, the static driving head collapses, stalling thermosiphon circulation and causing catastrophic reboiler overheating.