Dividing Wall Distillation Columns: Optimization and Control Properties

Abstract

The optimal design of dividing wall columns is a non-linear and multivariable problem, and the objective function used as optimization criterion is generally non-convex with several local optimums. Considering this fact, in this paper, we studied the design of dividing wall columns using as a design tool, a multi-objective genetic algorithm with restrictions, written in Matlab TM and using the process simulator Aspen Plus TM for the evaluation of the objective function. Numerical performance of this method has been tested in the design of columns with one or two dividing walls and with several mixtures to test the effect of the relative volatilities of the feed mixtures on energy consumption, second law efficiency, total annual cost, and theoretical control properties. In general, the numerical performance shows that this method appears to be robust and suitable for the design of sequences with dividing walls.

Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in extractive distillation: Part II. Dynamic behavior

“…In this case we cover a sufficiently complete range of frequencies. Similar studies have been reported by Jantes-Jaramillo et al (2008) and Gómez-Castro et al (2008), among others, for control analysis in studies of thermally coupled distillation systems.…”

Process Intensification ☆

“…In this case a sufficiently complete range of frequencies was covered. Similar studies have been reported by Jantes-Jaramillo et al [23], Gómez-Castro et al [18,24], and Ibarra-Sánchez and Segovia-Hernández [25] among others, for the control analysis of complex distillation systems. Other techniques available for the dynamic analysis of distillation systems are the relative gain array (RGA) analysis and the Niederlinski Index (NI) analysis, which allows to determinate the best pairing alternatives between control loops [26].…”

Optimal synthesis of thermally coupled distillation sequences using a novel MILP approach

“…Even nowadays some plants still work with column sequences that are suboptimal compared with some thermally couple arrangements. However, extended studies about operation and controllability showed that TCD with or without DWCs can be satisfactorily operated [1,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59].…”