# Distillation Designer

> Distillation column design skill for tray/packing selection, hydraulic analysis, and column optimization

- Skill: `a5c-ai/distillation-designer` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add a5c-ai/distillation-designer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/a5c-ai/distillation-designer/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: a5c-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/a5c-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/a5c-ai/distillation-designer

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# Distillation Designer Skill

## Purpose

The Distillation Designer Skill performs distillation column design including tray and packing selection, hydraulic calculations, and column optimization for vapor-liquid separations.

## Capabilities

- McCabe-Thiele and Ponchon-Savarit methods
- Shortcut design calculations (Fenske, Underwood, Gilliland)
- Tray hydraulics (flooding, weeping, entrainment)
- Packing selection and sizing (HETP, pressure drop)
- Feed location optimization
- Reflux ratio optimization
- Side draw design
- Azeotropic and extractive distillation

## Usage Guidelines

### When to Use
- Designing new distillation columns
- Rating existing columns
- Optimizing column performance
- Evaluating tray vs. packing

### Prerequisites
- VLE data available
- Feed composition defined
- Product specifications set
- Thermodynamic model validated

### Best Practices
- Validate VLE predictions
- Consider turndown requirements
- Allow for design margins
- Evaluate energy integration

## Process Integration

This skill integrates with:
- Distillation Column Design and Optimization
- Separation Sequence Synthesis
- Heat Integration Analysis

## Configuration

```yaml
distillation-designer:
  internals:
    - sieve-trays
    - valve-trays
    - structured-packing
    - random-packing
  design-methods:
    - rigorous
    - shortcut
```

## Output Artifacts

- Column specifications
- Tray/packing datasheets
- Hydraulic analysis
- Operating envelopes
- Optimization recommendations