Novel use of dividing wall columns for intensification multicomponent batch distillations

Abstract

While the dividing wall columns for continuous distillations have become quite popular, we present the first detailed analysis of a dividing wall column for batch distillation. For a dividing wall side stripper batch distillation column, we present an operating sequence and its associated mathematical model. Since there are many operating parameter combinations possible for this column, selecting the right operating parameters according to product specifications is presented as an optimization problem. This new configuration's performance is compared with the conventional batch rectifier and the middle vessel columns using two case studies related to the separation of a ternary mixture. The new batch dividing wall column performance is significantly better than the rectifier or the middle vessel column. As the purity specifications increase, the percentage improvement in profit due to the batch dividing wall column compared to the rectifier and the middle vessel columns increases.