Industry-wide energy saving by complex separation networks

• Published in: Computers & chemical engineering Vol. 33; no. 12; pp. 2018 - 2027
• Main Author: Linninger, Andreas A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 10.12.2009
• Subjects: Complex column configurations; Difference point equations; Genetic algorithm; Separation synthesis; Difference point equations; Complex column configurations; Genetic algorithm; Separation synthesis
• ISSN: 0098-1354; 1873-4375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2009.06.022

Different column configurations in a distillation network can achieve the same ultimate products, with different amounts of energy to do so. Only recently, methods have been discovered for the systematic generation and evaluation of all possible complex column configurations for the separation of multi-component mixtures. However, there is a lack of robust methods for the globally optimal design of complex column sequences. This presentation reviews recent advances to tackle the challenges of synthesizing complex column networks with computer-aided design algorithms. An automatic procedure to generate optimal column sequences based on a thermodynamic problem transformation called temperature collocation is discussed and its current capabilities and limitations illustrations with the help of two realistic case studies.