Experimental Studies of a Petlyuk Column and Validation of a Non‐Equilibrium Stage Model

Abstract

Integrated distillation equipment like the Petlyuk column offers enormous energy‐saving potential. However, high complexity and few available experimental data lead to high uncertainty. An integrated approach to reduce this risk is proposed. The first study on the influence of relative volatilities on the process behavior is presented. Comprehensive pilot‐plant experiments are displayed for three different component systems of linear alcohols. The experiments are carried out for a wide range of operating conditions. Results show a stable operation and high product purities. Based on the experimental data, a predictive non‐equilibrium stage model for column design is validated. Experiment and simulation indicate good agreement.

Energy Analysis and Remixing Effect of Thermal Coupling Petlyuk Column for Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Fractionation Train

“…Typically, for the conventional distillation arrangements energy integration method has been used to reduce energy costs (Shahruddin et al, 2019). However, the scope for energy integration of the conventional distillation columns into an overall process is often limited as the practical constraints prevent integration of distillation columns with the rest of the process (Annakou et al, 1996, Lucero-Robles et al, 2016, Egger et al, 2018. Since the columns cannot be integrated with the rest of the process and the potential for heat integration is limited by the heat flows in the background process, thus attention must be turned to the distillation operation and look at unconventional arrangement opportunity.…”

“…Alternatively, non-conventional arrangements which is Petlyuk columns are the options for these problems. Petlyuk column is especially energy-efficient and due to their ability to save capital and energy cost (Fidkowski 2006, Dwivedi et al, 2013, Matla-González et al, 2013, Lucero-Robles et al, 2016, Egger et al, 2018. This unique distillation arrangements have become very attractive although it has rarely been implemented in industries due to the complex arrangement (Ramirez-Corona et al, 2010), lack of knowledge and understanding and scepticism towards practical issues such as control (Hernandez et al, 1999).…”

“…Only in the recent years, the Petlyuk arrangement was successfully applied in industry for a limited amount of feed components (Matla-González et al, 2013, Errico et al, 2015, Egger et al, 2018. This indicates that these problems may be resolved by this non-conventional arrangement.…”

Temperature Inferential Control of Heat‐Integrated Distillation Column Based on Variable Sensitive Stage Temperature Set‐point

“…However, distillation has also resulted in severe environmental and energy‐related consequences because of its high energy consumption and low efficiency . Therefore, the improvement of distillation technology has become a widely‐discussed topic in recent years . Among the new technology, heat‐integrated distillation has attracted the attention of researchers since it has the potential for energy saving, possesses a high energy utilization rate, and can increase energy efficiency by more than 30 % than conventional distillation technology …”

Analysis of CO2 Emission and Economic Feasibility for a Heat‐Integrated Air Separation System

“…Many researchers have focused on energy efficiency improvements for reducing fossil fuel and electricity consumption from different perspectives, including end‐use, power generation etc. . Porzio et al described the application of a decision support system to iron and steel industries, which was useful in monitoring energy consumption and CO 2 emission .…”