Efficient generalized shortcut distillation model with improved accuracy for superstructure‐based process synthesis

Abstract

We propose a general shortcut distillation column model that can address a wide range of types of separations including nonsharp/sloppy splits. The model can automatically identify key components and estimate the energy requirement of a desired separation in the presence, potentially, of components with zero flow rates. To obtain more practical column height and vapor flow rates, we augment the model with constraints inspired by the Fenske equation. We also propose valid constraints to enhance the computational performance of the proposed model. Due to its flexibility and computational efficiency, the proposed model can be readily used for superstructure-based process synthesis.

A novel stochastic optimization method to efficiently synthesize large‐scale nonsharp distillation systems

“…Moreover, unknown connections between the distillation systems and other subsystems pose a great challenge to simultaneously synthesize the distillation systems and other subsystems. For example, the recent researches 41,42 reported the integration of the distillation system synthesis with reactor network synthesis, in which the reactor network can produce different effluents containing different sets of components depending on the selections of the reactions, and hence the feed of the distillation system has unknown components. The proposed method cannot handle the separation of a mixture with unknown components.…”

Optimization-Based Azeotropic Distillation System Synthesis Using Geometric Insights

“…To incorporate the modified Underwood equations into the optimization framework, we apply a reformulation proposed by Ryu and Maravelias . The set of intervals between postulated pseudocomponents is defined as P n R = { p ∈ P n M |min p ′∈ P n M ρ p ′ ≤ ρ p ≤ max p ′∈ P n M ρ p ′ – 1} where ρ p is the ranking of pseudocomponents based on boiling points.…”

“…To incorporate the modified Underwood equations into the optimization framework, we apply a reformulation proposed by Ryu and Maravelias. 44 The set of intervals between postulated pseudocomponents is defined as…”

A systems level analysis of ethanol upgrading strategies to middle distillates

“…To achieve this, the utility demand calculated accounts for (1) the heat to condition the feed to the selected catalysts, (2) the heat consumed to maintain isothermal reaction conditions, and (3) the heat duty associated with the required separations. While estimating the first two of these values is simple, the last one is challenging, so we rely on a recently developed targeting approach 35,36 which exploits that the heat duty of a fully thermally-coupled distillation network 40 can be used as a target for distillation.…”

“…In contrast with the work of Restrepo-Flo ´rez and Maravelias, 18 in which a reduced designed space was used because extensive simulations were required as an input, in this work we develop a novel framework in which short-cut models are used. 35,36 Therefore, surveying a larger number of alternatives is possible.…”