Optimal design of a reactive distillation column

Abstract

In this work we develop a MINLP model that can be used to optimize the design of reactive distillation column. MINLP model is formulated in GAMS in such a way that it can be solved locally and globally. In the RD column a component A is converted into product B while vapour and liquid are assumed to be in equilibrium. The objective is to find a design for this process that minimizes the total costs (consisting of capital and operational costs). The design variables of interest are the total number of stages, the number of reactive stages, the location of the reactive stages, the feed tray location and the reflux ratio.