Reboiler, Condenser, and Pressure Controls

Reboiler and condenser controls regulate the energy inflow and outflow in a distillation column. These controls must adequately respond to column changes, minimize transmission of distimhances into the column, and be energy efficient. Failure to achieve the first two functions will lead to column instabilities failme to achieve the third wastes energy. 

Column pressure control is frequently integrated with the condenser control system. This control is often regarded as the most important control in the column. It has been the author s experience that a column will not achieve stable operation imless steady pressure can be maintained. 

This chapter surveys the multitude of control schemes available for reboiler, condenser, and pressure controls critically exeunines the benefits and shortcomings of each scheme outlines common pitfalls in their implementation and supplies guidelines for avoiding these pitfalls. 

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