Integrating a vapor recompression heat pump into a lower partitioned reactive dividing-wall column for better energy-saving performance

Abstract

In this study, four integrated lower partitioned reactive dividing-wall columns (LRDWCs) with vapor recompression heat pump (VRHP) models are developed to reduce the energy consumption of a reactive dividing-wall column. Energy-saving, economic, and environmental performances of the integrated LRDWC with VRHP models are compared with the corresponding LRDWC. The results indicate that the integration of VRHP into the LRDWC significantly reduces the energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with the process. The application of a preheater further improves the energy-saving and economic performance of the process. With the aid of a preheater, the integrated LRDWC with the VRHP model saves 49.86% energy consumption and 13.76% total annual cost with a payback period corresponding to five years, and reduces all CO2 emissions when compared with the corresponding LRDWC.