Multicomponent distillation on a large digital computer: II. Generalization with side‐stream stripping

Abstract

AbstractThe problem of multicomponent distillation is considered for a column with an arbitrary number of feed streams and an arbitrary number of side‐stream withdrawals. The overheads from the side‐stream strippers are admitted to the column, introducing the inert stripping medium into the main column. Provisions are made in the calculations for complete heat balancing, inert injection, and internal reflux cooling. The method of computation is that of a previous paper involving the component‐by‐component technique. Calculations are made on the main column and give first approximations to the side‐stream compositions; stripper calculations are then initiated. An alternating procedure is instituted between the main column and the strippers, the successive iterations continuing until a preassigned accuracy in the desired quantities is reached. An extensive numerical problem is worked.