Process synthesis residue curve maps

Fien, G. A. F., and Liu, Y. A. Heuristic Synthesis and Shortcut Design of Separation Processes Using Residue Curve Maps A Review, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 33, 2505-2522 (1994). 

Fien, G. J.A.F. and Y.A. Liu, Heuristic synthesis and shortcut design of separation processes using residue curve maps A review. Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 1994, 33(11) 2505 2522. 

Process synthesis and design of these non-conventional distillation processes proceed in two steps. The first step—process synthesis—is the selection of one or more candidate entrainers along with the computation of thermodynamic properties like residue curve maps that help assess many column features such as the adequate column configuration and the corresponding product cuts sequence. The second step—process design—involves the search for optimal values of batch distillation parameters such as the entrainer amount, reflux ratio, boiler duty and number of stages. The complexity of the second step depends on the solutions obtained at the previous level, because efficiency in azeotropic and extractive distillation is largely determined by the mixture thermodynamic properties that are closely linked to the nature of the entrainer. Hence, we have established a complete set of rules for the selection of feasible entrainers for the separation of non ideal mixtures... 

Another recent book dedicated to the conceptual design of distillation systems has been published by Doherty and Mallone (2001). The authors are well-known by outstanding contributions in the field. Emphasis is given to process synthesis aspects, namely to the new methods based on residue curve maps, as well as to the innovative use of Reactive Distillation. 

In seeking the most efficient process possible, a designer will wish to explore a wide range of feasible designs. To make this possible, an efficient method for the synthesis and assessment of any hybrid separation process has been developed. Since both processes have been analyzed using similar mathematical backgrounds, it is possible to use residue curve maps and column profile maps for both distillation and membranes to design hybrid systems of the two. 

As a common analysis tool, residue curve mapping (RCM) is well established. Fien and Liu [4] published a comprehensive review of the synthesis and shortcut design of non-reactive separation processes based on RCMs. Barbosa and Doherty [5] developed RCMs for RD processes with single chemical equilibrium reaction. Ung and Doherty [6] extended this method to systems with multiple equUibrium reactions. 

As illustrated throughout this section, process simulators have extensive facilities for preparing phase-equilibrium diagrams T-x-y, P-x-y, x-y,... ), and residue curve maps and binodal curves for ternary systems. In addition, related but independent packages have been developed for the synthesis and evaluation of distillation trains involving azeotropic mixtures. These include SPLIT by Aspen Technology, Inc., and DISTIL by Hyprotech (now Aspen Technology, Inc., which contains MAYFLOWER developed by M.F. Doherty and M.F. Malone at the University of Massachusetts). 

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