Optimal Design Flowsheet for a Three-Column System

3 Optimal Design Flowsheet for a Three-Column System 

Since there is no recycle flow back to the first preconcentrator column, this standalone column can be optimized first with two product specifications and two design variables of the total number of stages and feed tray location. One of the product specifications is the selection of the XDl composition by varying the reflux ratio. The other product specification is the bottoms water composition at 0.999 by varying the reboiler duty. 

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