Column heat integration assessment

The feed stage location of the column is optimized first in the simulation prior to the start of the column thermal analysis since the feed stage may strongly interact with the other options for column improvements. This can be carried out by trying alternate feed stage locations in simulation and evaluating its impact on reboiling duty. 

After the feed stage optimization is accomplished, the CGCC for the column is then obtained, which is used as the basis for the next step optimization. 

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Establish the heat integration potential of simple columns. Introduce heat recovery between reboilers, intermediate reboilers, condensers, intermediate condensers, and other process streams. Shift the distillation column pressures to allow integration, where possible, using the grand composite curve to assess the heat integration potential. 

The appropriate placement of distillation columns when heat integrated is not across the pinch. The grand composite curve can be used as a quantitative tool to assess integration opportunities. 

The appropriate placement of distillation columns when heat integrated is not across the heat recovery pinch. The grand composite curve can be used as a quantitative tool to assess integration opportunities. The scope for integrating conventional distillation columns into an overall process is often limited. Practical constraints often prevent integration of columns with the rest of the process. If the... 

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