Modeling and analysis of conventional and heat-integrated distillation columns

A generic model that can cover diabatic and adiabatic distillation column configurations is presented, with the aim ofproviding a consistent basis for comparison of alternative distillation column technologies. Both a static and a dynamic formulation of the model, together with a model catalogue consisting of the conventional, the heat-integrated and the mechanical vapor recompression distillation columns are presented.

The solution procedure of the model is outlined and illustrated in three case studies. One case study being a benchmark study demonstrating the size of the model and the static properties of two different heat-integrated distillation column (HIDiC) schemes and the mechanical vapor recompression column.

The second case study exemplifies the difference between a HIDiC and a conventional distillation column in the composition profiles within a multicomponent separation, whereas the last case study demonstrates the difference in available dynamic models for the HIDiC and the proposed model.