Computer Aided Design of a Multi-Component Distillation Column-Using the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland Short-Cut Method

Abstract

Most design calculations in multi-component distillation column are tedious and time consuming, thus the need for the Engineer to embrace the applications of computer for the design of multi-component distillation columns design. At the same time the need for accurate design in engineering cannot be over emphasize, meaning that the safety of lives and property so much depend on the accuracy of design calculation, thus, the need for computer packages that will aid the design of multi-component distillation columns to avoid such errors. The objective of this work is to develop a module that uses Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland (FUG) shortcut method in the design of a multi-component distillation column. The FUG shortcut method for multi-component distillation column design uses the Fenske equations for minimum number stages, the Underwood equations for minimum reflux and the Gilliland correlation for the number of stages for a given reflux. The scope of this design is basically development of software that could be used for the calculations involved in the design of multi-component distillation columns. The package developed however utilizes only the FUG shortcut method. The package is built on the Visual Basic 6++ programming language, which is a user friendly and object oriented program.