Column section fully thermally coupled columns

The partitioned thermally coupled prefractionator in Figure 11.14c can be simulated using the arrangement in Figure 11.14b as the basis of the simulation. However, like side-rectifiers and side-strippers, fully thermally coupled columns have some important degrees of freedom for optimization. In the fully thermally coupled column, there are six column sections (above and below the partition, above and below the feed in the prefractionator and above and below the sidestream from the main column side of the partition). The degrees of freedom to be optimized in partitioned columns are ... 

The minimum vapor flow for the entire thermally coupled system is flat over a wide range of P Pp < P < Pr. This is the reason why dividing wall columns usually work well without tight coutrol of the vapor or liquid spht betweeu both sides of the partitiou. The optimally designed fully thermally coupled system should operate with a fractional recovery of B in the top product of the prefractionator placed somewhere between points P and R. The transition spht P is located at one end of the optimal section PR, and it is not a recommended design point for normal operation because process disturbances may move the operating point outside the optimal section PR shown in Fig. 13-70. 

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