A dynamic reactive distillation (RD) column model is developed for highly nonideal systems with potential phase splitting. Dynamic simulations and nonlinear dynamic analysis are performed for recovery of acetic acid from waste waters by esterification with n-butanol, which is an interesting alternative to nonreactive separation processes. Two alternative RD column designs were tested with respe...

The present work is to simulate and analyze pressure-swing distillation process for azeotropic IBA-IBAc separation using CHEMCAD simulation software. The total number of feed plates, reflux ratio in first column and total number of plates, operating pressure and the feed stream concentration of IBA for the second column are varied to find the optimum feed plate location, to get the desired outp...

The Vmin diagram is introduced to effectively visualize how the minimum energy consumption is related to the feed-component distribution for all possible operating points in a two-product distillation column with a multicomponent feed. The classical Underwood equations are used to derive analytical expressions for the ideal case with constant relative volatility and constant molar flows. Howeve...

This paper presents an algorithm for the rigorous design of thermally coupled distillation sequences using process simulators. First we show that the two side streams connections that produce a thermal ‘couple’ can be substituted by a combination of a material stream and a heat flow. In this way, the sequence of thermally coupled distillation columns can be simulated without recycle streams. Th...

Extractive distillation is one of the efficient techniques for separating azeotropic and low-relativevolatility mixtures in various chemical industries. This paper first provides an overview of thermodynamic insight covering residue curve map analysis, the application of univolatility and unidistribution curves, and thermodynamic feasibility study. The pinch-point analysis method combining bifu...

Multivessel batch distillation is a promising alternative to conventional batch distillation. Earlier studies proved the feasibility of temperature control in a closed operation mode, that is, when no product is removed until the end of the process. In this article, the influence of the reflux strategy during the initial start-up period is investigated in detail. This is a very important task i...