The effects of trays distribution on both sides of the vertical wall on the thermal coupled distillation operation process

ABSTRACT

The distribution of trays on sides of the vertical wall in the divided wall column not only affects the components separation, but also the capital investment and operation costs, which may have a significant effect on the simulation optimization in both (chemical) theoretical and practical studies. In this article, the effects of the patterns of trays distribution on the internal stream distribution, energy cost, and optimal operation condition are investigated and analyzed based on the theory and process simulation. According to the simulation results, there exists separation limit value on both sides of the vertical wall.

KEYWORDS:

• Divided wall column
• trays distribution
• optimization

Nomenclature

DWC	=	Divided wall column
Hk	=	Heavy key component
Lk	=	Light key component
BTX	=	Benzene-toluene-xylene
Rl	=	Liquid split ratio
Rv	=	Vapor split ratio
TAC	=	Total annual costs
RR	=	Reflux ratio

Acknowledgements

We declare we do not have any commercial or associative interest in connection with the work submitted.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [21376240].