A new flexible method has been developed for modelling multistage multicomponent separation processes. The method is based on the simultaneous modular approach and can be referred to as a quasilinear two-level modelling. The network is solved within each iteration as a linear one, and after each network solution the split streams are updated modularly using nonlinear submodels. The method is suited for modelling the most important separation processes with arbitrary structure and permits to use different models for the subunits or processing units. Illustrative examples and computational results are presented showing the efficiency, flexibility and capability of the method.
Z. FONYO
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCEThe simulation of the multistage multicomponent separation processes is a subject which has, in the last two decades, reached various literature. Despite the dramatic progress in our understanding which this has produced, a comprehensive simultaneous modular method capable of modelling the various multistage, multicomponent separation processes has remained out of reach. In this work, a new, flexible method has been developed and proposed to find a rigorous solution of any separation problem. The proposed simultaneous modular method is referred to as quasilinear two-level modelling because the network is solved within each iteration as a linear one, and two types of models are used for each unit. The network solution using linear submodels creates the upper level, and the nonlinear submodels create the lower level of modelling. The illustrative examples proved the stable application of the method to distillation with narrow and wide boiling mixtures as well as with nonideal mixtures, especially to absorption, extraction and interlinked distillation columns. The principal significance of the proposed modular method is that it is competitive and quite flexible; besides, it can be used with different types of models for subunits; e.g., the concept of equilibrium stage can be combined with shortcut methods. Another potentially useful feature of the method is that its technique is highly system-engineering-oriented, since the adaptation of the simultaneous modular strategy renders to use the same network solution package possible at different hierarchical levels for the computation of processing units, chemical plants, chemical complexes, etc.PROBLEM STATEMENT perfect plate). The concept of the equilibrium stage is based on the presumption that the phases leaving the stage are in thermodynamic equilibrium. The eqiiilibrium stage processes are taken to be at steady-state operation, and the term model as used herein means the complete set of assumptions and corresponding equa-'The most important separation processes (distillation, absorption, stripping, extraction and washing! can all be modelled b y use of the concept of ecluilibrium stage (alsocalled a theoretical plate or