Modeling and Simulation of a Distillation Column using ASPEN PLUS for separating methanol/water mixture

Abstract

Industries are always posed with the problem of separating methanol from water. Distillation is regarded as one of the best processes by which this goal can be achieved. Present study was carried out on these lines to obtain 99.5% composition of methanol in distillate and 99.5 % of water in the bottom product by utilizing ASPEN PLUS simulation software. MESH equations, which actually represent the behaviour of the distillation column, have been solved through ASPEN PLUS in order to study the effect of different parameters. Optimum feed stage location, number of stages and reflux ratio was also established. The optimum conditions found out by our analysis to determine No. of stages (N), feed stage (N f) and optimum reflux ratio (R r) were 21, 16 and1.5 respectively. The paper as such best describes the modeling and simulation of a distillation column using ASPEN PLUS to obtain 99.5% composition of methanol in distillate from 1:1 methanol/water mixture. This analysis will thus prove beneficial for designers in industry who deal with separation of methanol for methanol/water mixture.