The use of visualisation techniques, more specifically of a series of equilibrium subspaces has greatly helped in the understanding of the relationships among all variables associated with separation of complex non-ideal systems by distillation. The azeotropic distillation of ethanol/water, with pentane as the entrainer, was studied. Parameterization of the equilibrium surfaces in terms of the bubble point temperature was used to search for maximum or minimum boiling ternary azeotropes. It was observed that the behaviour presented due to changes in design parameters varies considerably when the feed is located on the top of the column (previous work) and when it is located in the middle of the column (this work).The objective of this work is to optimize molecular distillators for producing b-carotenes from palm oil, taking into account design (falling film and centrifugal) and operating conditions (temperature and feed flow rate). Experimental and simulated data are used. The software DISMOL, developed by this research group was used for the calculations. As the distillation is proceeding, the carotene concentration in the liquid phase increases for the falling film molecular distillator. It was observed that the best temperature range is from 150 to 180 C, for feed flow rates that vary from 0.3 to 1.8 kg/h, according to the operating temperatures, since as larger the temperature is, a larger flow is needed. The same procedure was made for the centrifugal molecular distillator. For this case, the best temperature range is from 180 to 230 C, for feed flow rates that vary from 0.2 to 0.6 kg/h, according to the operating temperatures.

Résumé -Interopérabilité des logiciels de simulation de procédés -Cet article présente le rôle essentiel de l'interopérabilité logicielle dans le domaine CAPE (Computer Aided Process Engineering/ingénierie de procédés assistée par ordinateur), aussi bien dans l'industrie que dans les milieux académiques. Nous adoptons un point de vue essentiellement industriel et focalisé sur l'activité de simulation de procédés. Nous présentons l'environnement au sein duquel opèrent les activités CAPE, et nous discutons de l'importance de l'interopérabilité dans ce contexte. Nous évoquons ensuite les bénéfices apportés par l'interopérabilité, par rapport au statut actuel du marché des logiciels de ce domaine. Nous poursuivons en examinant ce qu'impliquent ces techniques pour les organisations et leurs collaborateurs, et nous concluons en présentant de quelle manière l'intéropérabilité logicielle pourrait être utilisée dans le futur. Abstract -Interoperability of Process Simulation Software -This paper discusses the impact of software interoperability in strengthening the role of industrial and academic Computer Aided Process Engineering (CAPE). The viewpoint is predominantly industrial and focused on the activity of process simulation.The paper outlines the environment within which CAPE now operates and discusses the meaning of interoperability in this context. It then looks at the benefits that interoperability can bring and reviews the current status of the market place. The paper goes on to discuss the implications of these new capabilities for organisations and individuals and concludes with a look at some of the ways in which interoperability could be used in the future. Software Interoperability for Petroleum ApplicationsInteropérabilité logicielle : les applications dans l'industrie pétrolière

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The use of visualisation techniques, more specifically of a series of equilibrium subspaces has greatly helped in the understanding of the relationships among all variables associated with separation of complex non-ideal systems by distillation. The azeotropic distillation of ethanol/water, with pentane as the entrainer, was studied. Parameterization of the equilibrium surfaces in terms of the bubble point temperature was used to search for maximum or minimum boiling ternary azeotropes. It was observed that the behaviour presented due to changes in design parameters varies considerably when the feed is located on the top of the column (previous work) and when it is located in the middle of the column (this work).The objective of this work is to optimize molecular distillators for producing b-carotenes from palm oil, taking into account design (falling film and centrifugal) and operating conditions (temperature and feed flow rate). Experimental and simulated data are used. The software DISMOL, developed by this research group was used for the calculations. As the distillation is proceeding, the carotene concentration in the liquid phase increases for the falling film molecular distillator. It was observed that the best temperature range is from 150 to 180 C, for feed flow rates that vary from 0.3 to 1.8 kg/h, according to the operating temperatures, since as larger the temperature is, a larger flow is needed. The same procedure was made for the centrifugal molecular distillator. For this case, the best temperature range is from 180 to 230 C, for feed flow rates that vary from 0.2 to 0.6 kg/h, according to the operating temperatures.

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