The design and construction of a prototype of a dividing-wall distillation column was possible by integrating previous knowledge in process intensification, energy savings, theoretical control properties, and closed-loop dynamics of thermally coupled distillation sequences. In order to achieve the predicted energy savings for this class of complex distillation column, a dividing wall and a side tank were implemented in order to manipulate the internal flows associated with energy consumption. The reaction between ethanol and acetic acid was conducted within the prototype, and the experimental results indicate that a heterogeneous mixture of ethyl acetate and water is obtained as the top product. The temperature profile measured during the experimental run can be used for controlling the batch distillation column in cyclic operation mode.
The degree of CO2 absorption by monoethanolamine (MEA) using metal structured packing material, ININ18, was studied. The aqueous solution contained 30 wt‐% MEA in countercurrent with CO2 flue gas. The capture process was carried out in an absorption column with dimensions 4.0 m in height and 0.3 m in diameter. The mass transfer coefficient and height of mass transfer were evaluated. Results show a volumetric mass transfer coefficient of 3.76 s–1, a height of mass transfer equivalent unit of 0.317 m, and an absorption efficiency of 90 % from flue gas.
a b s t r a c tPrevious studies in the fields of process design and process control [1] have shown the potential benefits that can be achieved through the implementation of thermally coupled distillation sequences, in particular, the dividing wall distillation column. The dividing wall distillation column meets important goals of process intensification, including energy savings, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and miniaturization. In this paper, an experimental study on the hydrodynamic behavior of a dividing wall distillation column is presented. Several different values for gas and liquid velocities were tested in order to measure pressure drops and identify operational regions; the air/water system was used as the basis for the experimental setup. Results regarding pressure drops (fitted to the model of Stichlmair et al.) provide operational limits for the operation of the packed dividing wall distillation column. According to the results, the experimental dividing wall column can be operated at turbulent regime that is associated to proper mass transfer.
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