Minimum Energy Consumption in Multicomponent Distillation. 1. V_min Diagram for a Two-Product Column

Abstract

The V min diagram is introduced to effectively visualize how the minimum energy consumption is related to the feed-component distribution for all possible operating points in a two-product distillation column with a multicomponent feed. The classical Underwood equations are used to derive analytical expressions for the ideal case with constant relative volatility and constant molar flows. However, the diagram can also be used for nonideal mixtures. The V min diagram is very insightful for assessing multicomponent separation in a single column and is even more powerful for complex column arrangements, such as Petlyuk columns (parts 2 and 3 of this series of papers).

Optimal synthesis of thermally coupled distillation sequences using a novel MILP approach

“…Some of them, without the intention of a comprehensive review are: modification in the number and characteristics of vapor and liquid transfer between columns [60,61]; Simultaneous design of thermally coupled and heat integrated systems [12,[62][63][64], thermodynamic analysis [2,5,6,[65][66][67], generation and analysis of sequences with reduced number of column sections [68][69][70][71], alternatives for columns with one or multiple walls [72,73].…”

Robust Initialization of Rigorous Process Simulations of Multiple Dividing Wall Columns via Vmin Diagrams

“…This syntax was adopted from the publications of Halvorsen and Skogestad [8][9][10], who developed the method. The internal liquid flow L and vapor flow V are differentiated according to their location in the column, and the superscripts T and B indicate the corresponding recovery in the top (distillate) and the bottom stream of the column, respectively.…”

“…The internal liquid flow L and vapor flow V are differentiated according to their location in the column, and the superscripts T and B indicate the corresponding recovery in the top (distillate) and the bottom stream of the column, respectively. This syntax was adopted from the publications of Halvorsen and Skogestad [8][9][10], who developed the method.…”

“…A promising method to determine initial streams for a rigorous simulation is the Vmin method [1] presented by Halvorsen and Skogestad [8][9][10] based on Underwood's method [11]. Vmin diagrams are obtained for only one column depicting different split cases.…”

“…In contrast to that, the V min diagrams will be presented as an effective and robust tool to initialize rigorous simulations for the design of multiple Dividing Wall Columns. This work comprehensively summarizes the publications of Halvorsen and Skogestadt [8][9][10] and Fidkowski and Agrawal [12], with a focus on mDWCs. Example calculations developed by the author of this paper shall help advance understanding of the method.…”