Distillation columns simulation

Design and Operation of Azeotropie Distillation Columns Simulation and design of azeotropic distiUation columns is a difficult computational problem, but one tnat is readily handled, in most cases, by widely available commercial computer process simulation packages [Glasscock and Hale, Chem. Eng., 101(11), 82 (1994)]. Most simida-... 

Kister, H. Z., Troubleshoot Distillation Column Simulations, Chemical Engineering Progress, June, 1995. 

Hydraulic analysis of the Aspen Plus simulator produces thermodynamic ideal minimum flow and actual flow curves for rigorous distillation column simulations. These types of calculations are performed for RADFRAC columns. Using the input summary given in problem 4.48 construct the stage-flow curves. Assess the thermodynamic performance of the column. 

Stream enthalpy and temperature from enthalpy routines e Heat exchanger and distillation column simulations... 

Fig. 27. Separation ranges obtained by rigorous distillation column simulation...

In view of the large influence of interaction effects found by Toor and Burchard (1960) it is a little surprising that there have been so few design calculations reported in the literature. More experience with these models is required before definitive conclusions can be made regarding the use of complicated efficiency models in sophisticated distillation codes. The whole issue of multicomponent mass transfer models in distillation column simulation is taken up again in Chapter 14. 

In this chapter we begin at the beginning. We take a simple binary separation and go through all the details of setting up a simulation of this system in Aspen Plus using the rigorous distillation column simulator RadFrac. 

A classic example of an instance in which it is useful to develop a dedicated program rather than using a generic nonlinear system solver, is distillation column simulation. This is actually a very common problem and one that has certain special features that can be exploited to make the program more efficient and flexible than one using a generic solver. 

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