Process simulation—batch distillation

D. M. Hitch and R. W. Rousseau. Simulation of continuous contact separation processes multicomponent batch distillation. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 27 1466-1473, 1988. 

Spreadsheet Applications. The types of appHcations handled with spreadsheets are a microcosm of the types of problems and situations handled with fuU-blown appHcation programs that are mn on microcomputers, minis, and mainframes and include engineering computations, process simulation, equipment design and rating, process optimization, reactor kinetics—design, cost estimation, feedback control, data analysis, and unsteady-state simulation (eg, batch distillation optimization). 

J. P. Boston, H. 1. Britt, S. Jkaphongphan, and V. B. Shah, "An Advanced System for the Simulation of Batch Distillation Operations," in Foundations of Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design, Vol. 2, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, 1981. 

Distillation is a well-known process and scale-up methods have been well established. Many computer programs for the simulation of continuous distillation columns that are operated at steady state are available. In fine chemicals manufacture, this concerns separations of products in the production of bulk fine chemicals and for solvent recovery/purification. In the past decade, software for modelling of distillation columns operated at non-steady state, including batch distillation, has been developed. In the fine chemicals business, usually batch distillation is applied. 

Cuille and Reklaitis (1986) and Albet et al. (1991) used similar model to simulate batch reactive distillation process. Egly et al. (1979), Reuter et al. (1989), Mujtaba (1989) and Mujtaba and Macchietto (1992, 1997) used a modified version of this model based on constant molar holdup in their studies. Sorensen and Skogestad (1996c), Sorensen et al. (1996b), Balasubramhanya and Doyle III (2000) used simple models for studying control strategies in batch reactive distillation. 

To examine the performance of this recipe, it is helpful to use a batch distillation program is a process simulator, such as BATCHFRAC by Aspen Technology, Inc. (Boston et al., 1981). Then, a... 

In this paper we introduce a novel operational policy for the purification of an intermediate boiling component via batch distillation. The novel operational policy is based on feasibility studies of a cyclic distillation column provided with a side withdrawal. The process is validated via computer based simulations. Furthermore, the effects of the most important process parameters are investigated. 

Rodriguez-Donis I., E. Pardillo-Fontdevila, V. Gerbaud, and X. Joulia, S5mthesis, experiments and simulation of heterogeneous batch distillation processes, Comput. Chem. Engng., 25, 799-806 (2001). 

The book may be used for a methodical study of the subject or as a reference for solving day-to-day problems. It follows a logical flow of ideas within each chapter and from one chapter to the next yet each chapter is quite self-contained for quick reference. The discussion starts with fundamental principles, prediction of thermodynamic properties, the equilibrium stage, and moves on to the different types of multistage and complex multistage and multicolumn processes, batch distillation, and membrane separation operations. Although computer simulation is a central theme of this book, no previous experience in the use of simulation software is required. 

The economical design and operation of batch distillation systems must take into account many factors, most of which are time dependent. The mathematical complexity of the process provides a strong incentive for using computer simulation to solve the problem. 

It is difficult to analyze batch distillation without using computers due to the two reasons stated before (a) the process is time varying, and one has to resort to complex numerical integration techniques and different simulation models for obtaining the transients, and (b) this ever-changing process also provides flexibility in operating and configuring the column in numerous ways. Based on the current state of the... 

Previous chapters described modehng of individual operations, such as distillation, crystallization, filtration, etc. Batch process simulation combines multiple processing steps in order to model a complete batch process or even a multiproduct plant. 

Scheduling and cycle time analysis in the context of a simulator is fuUy process-driven and the impact of process changes can be analyzed in a matter of seconds. For instance, the impact of an increase in batch size (which affects the dmration of charge, transfer, filtration, distillation, and other scale-dependent operations) on the recipe cycle time and the maximmn nmnber of batches can be seen immediately. Due to the many interacting factors involved with even a relatively simple process, simulation tools that allow users to describe their processes in detail, and to quickly perform what-if analyses, can be extremely useful. 

Joseph F. Boston, Herbert I Britt, Siri Jirapongphan, and V. B. Shah. An advanced system for the simulation of batch distillation operations. In Richaxd S.H. Mah and Warren D. Seider, editors, Foundations of Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design, volume 2, pages 203-237. Engineering Foundation, New York, 1983. 

In this chapter the simulation examples are described. As seen from the Table of Contents, the examples are organised according to twelve application areas Batch Reactors, Continuous Tank Reactors, Tubular Reactors, Semi-Continuous Reactors, Mixing Models, Tank Flow Examples, Process Control, Mass Transfer Processes, Distillation Processes, Heat Transfer, and Dynamic Numerical Examples. There are aspects of some examples which relate them to more than one application area, which is usually apparent from the titles of the examples. Within each section, the examples are listed in order of their degree of difficulty. 

Simulate the full-scale reactant addition rates, batch temperature and time profiles and processing conditions (e.g., stirring, distillation, boiling under reflux, etc.) ... 

Usually, isothermal calorimeters are used to measure heat flow in batch and semi-batch reactions. They can also measure the total heat generated by the reaction. With careful design, the calorimeter can simulate process variables such as addition rate, agitation, distillation and reflux. They are particularly useful for measuring the accumulation of unreacted materials in semi-batch reactions. Reaction conditions can be selected to minimize such accumulations. 

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