Homogeneous azeotropic distillation processes may exhibit multiple steady states under certain
conditions. A methodology has been described for directly capturing all the multiple steady states
as well as for generating the bifurcation diagram using the HYSYS process simulator in the
steady-state mode. Initial guesses for generating the multiple steady states were based on the
∞/∞ approach of Bekiaris et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.
1993, 32, 2023) and the behavior of the
composition−temperature profiles. The method was tested with different systems, feed locations,
and compositions and was extended to nonideal stages using the overall efficiency approach.
Conventional inside-out algorithms in the steady-state mode were found to capture the stable
steady states only. Using stabilizing control, these algorithms could capture the unstable steady
states as well. Their ability to incorporate Murphree efficiencies in the column specifications
could, hence, be exploited. Preliminary results on the sustained oscillatory behavior on the higher
branch are presented.
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