Separation of an Acetone−Methanol Mixture by Pressure-Swing Batch Distillation in a Double-Column System with and without Thermal Integration

Abstract

Pressure-swing batch distillation in a double-column system is suggested for the separation of an acetone−methanol pressure-sensitive azeotropic mixture. The studied column configuration is the double-column batch stripper in open mode. We investigated this separation by rigorous simulation using a professional dynamic flow-sheet simulator. The influence of the most important operational parameters is studied. The energy demand of the separation is converted to carbon dioxide emission. The two columns can be thermally integrated to save energy. The effectiveness of thermal coupling is also investigated at different pressure gaps.