FUNDAMENTALS OF RESIDUE CURVE MAPS

Residue curve maps (RCMs) have been long used as a tool for analyzing a given ternary system s phase equilibrium behavior. These maps, originally pioneered by Schreinemakers in 1902 [1], enable design engineers to quickly scan possible separation trains or sequences, and also to identify areas of difficult separation due to azeotropes. 

In this chapter, the derivation of RCMs from simple batch boiling, as well as the fundamental properties behind RCMs, are discussed. Thereafter, the application of RCMs to continuous processes is explored. However, as will be shown, this application has limitations and these will also be addressed. 

A reader familiar with distillation research will find much of the material in this chapter to be famihar. However, RCMs do form the fundamental backbone of column profile maps (CPMs), and thus the need for this chapter is important. Readers that are experienced with distillation may find Section 2.9, particularly interesting and useful when some not-so-common ways of looking at RCMs are discussed. 

It should be noted that only the information needed for the development of the material in the book is included in this chapter. Hence, some parts of the RCM theory are omitted since it is out of the scope of context for this particular text, but interested readers can consult the reference list for more detailed information [2 7]. 

Understanding Distillation Using Column Profile Maps, First Edition. Daniel Beneke, Mark Peters, David Glasser, and Diane Hildebrandt. 

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