Distillation System Optimization

Energy and Process Optimization for the Process Industries, First Edition. Frank (Xin X.) Zhu. 

The concept of tower feasible operating region was discussed in Chapter 12 and performance assessment in Chapter 13. This chapter focuses on economic operation within the feasible operation region. 

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Benali, M. and Aydin, B. (2010) Ethane/ethylene and propane/propylene separation in hybrid membrane distillation systems Optimization and economic analysis. Separation and Purification Technology, 73 (3), 377-390. 

Shah PB and Kokossis AC (2002) New Synthesis Framework for the Optimization of Complex Distillation Systems, AIChE J, 48 527. 

Pressure-relieving systems are unique compared with other systems within a chemical plant hopefully they will never need to operate, but when they do, they must do so flawlessly. Other systems, such as extraction and distillation systems, usually evolve to their optimum performance and reliability. This evolution requires creativity, practical knowledge, hard work, time, and the cooperative efforts of the plant, design, and process engineers. This same effort and creativity is essential when developing relief systems however, in this case the relief system development must be optimally designed and demonstrated within a research environment before the plant start-up. 

Fraga, E. S. and T. R. S. Matias. Synthesis and Optimization of a Nonideal Distillation System Using a Parallel Genetic Algorithm. Comput Chem Eng 20 (Suppl) S79-S84 (1996). 

S. Hernandez and A. Jimenez. Design of optimal thermally - coupled distillation systems using a dynamic model. Trans. IchemE, 74(Part A) 357-362, 1996. 

Estimation of column costs for preliminary process evaluations requires consideration not only of the basic type of internals but also of their effect on overall system cost. For a distillation system, for example, the overall system can include the vessel (column), attendant structures, supports, and foundations auxiliaries such as reboiler, condenser, feed neater, and control instruments and connecting piping. The choice of internals influences all these costs, but other factors influence them as well. A complete optimization of the system requires a full-process simulation model that can cover all pertinent variables influencing economics. 

Fidkowski Z, Krolikowski L. Thermally coupled system of distillation columns optimization procedure. AIChE J 1986 32 537. 

Glinos K, Malone MF. Optimality regions for complex column alternatives in distillation systems. Chem Eng Res Des 1988 66 229. 

Shah PB, Kokossis AC. New synthesis framework for the optimization of complex distillation systems. AIChE J 2002 48 527. 

Wang, K., Qian, Y., Yuan, Y., and Yao, P. (1998). Synthesis and optimization of heat integrated distillation systems using an improved genetic algorithm. Comput. Chem. Eng., 23, 125-136. 

Nishimura, H. and Hiraizumi, Y., "Optimal System Pattern for Multicomponent Distillation Systems," International Chemical Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp 188-193, January 1971. 

Distillation columns should be optimized considering both capital cost and operating (energy) cost. The heuristics of using a reflux ratio of 1.03-1.3 times the minimum reflux ratio is in line with both the capital cost and the operating cost for binary distillation systems. 

A Systematic Procedure For Optimizing Crude Oil Distillation Systems... 

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