Please wait a minute...
Shopping Cart Email List Chinese
Advanced Search Fig/Tab
Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering

ISSN 2095-0179

ISSN 2095-0187(Online)

CN 11-5981/TQ

Postal Subscription Code 80-969

2018 Impact Factor: 2.809

Featured Articles  |  Most Downloaded  |  Most Reading
Online Submission Subscribe to Our RSS Content Feed
Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.    2020, Vol. 14 Issue (5) : 834-846    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-019-1855-7
RESEARCH ARTICLE
A novel method for generating distillation configurations
Hongzhe Hou, Yiqing Luo()
Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
 Download: PDF(1100 KB)   HTML
 Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks
Abstract

An improved matrix method for generating distillation configurations with (N−1) and less than (N−1) columns was proposed for the separation of an N-component mixture into essentially pure product streams based on the concepts of streams matrix and 0–1 matrixes proposed by Agrawal. In contrast with the matrix method developed by Agrawal, the present method removes the intermediate process centered on the splits, and complex column configurations, allowing the direct generation of multi-feeds and multi-product streams. Furthermore, certain configurations that cannot be generated directly and that are missing in the matrix method are obtained. Through rigorous simulations and optimization, we have demonstrated that these configurations have the potential to outperform certain existing configurations.
Keywords non-sharp separation      multicomponent distillation      distillation configurations     
Corresponding Author(s): Yiqing Luo   
Just Accepted Date: 24 October 2019   Online First Date: 17 December 2019    Issue Date: 25 May 2020
 Cite this article:   
Hongzhe Hou,Yiqing Luo. A novel method for generating distillation configurations[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(5): 834-846.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-019-1855-7
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2020/V14/I5/834
Fig.1  Codes for the components.
Fig.2  (a) Stream matrix of a five-component mixture and its three regions; (b) 0-1 matrix.
Fig.3  Procedure for generating all distillation configurations of an N-component mixture.
Fig.4  (a) Adjacent streams enter the same column; (b) adjacent streams without overlap enter different columns; (c) adjacent overlapping streams enter different columns.
Fig.5  Method for identifying product streams from the first set of vertexes of a five-component feed stream.
Fig.6  Renewal of the vertexes.
Fig.7  Procedure for identifying the product streams of a column.
Fig.8  Stream matrix and a 0−1 matrix.
Fig.9  Process of generating two distillation configurations according to the 0−1 matrix.
Fig.10  Thirty-two different 0-1 matrixes for a four-component mixture.
Fig.11  The 0−1 matrixes and corresponding configurations that cannot be drawn directly or are missing in the matrix method.
Fig.12  Missing configurations for developed method.
Composition Mole-fraction
Feed stream N-butane 0.25
N-pentane 0.25
N-hexane 0.25
N-octane 0.25
Total flow rate 1000 kmol·h-1
Temperature 333.15 K
Pressure 3 bar
Utilities Cold water (298.15 K) 0.54 $·(106 kJ)-1
MP steam (448.15 K) 5.40 $·(106 kJ)-1
HP steam (523.15 K) 9.34 $·(106 kJ)-1
Heat transfer coefficient Reboiler 0.568 kW·m-2·K-1
Condenser 0.852 kW·m-2·K-1
Payback period 3 years
Tab.1  Data for optimization
Fig.13  (a) Optimized configuration from matrix method; (b) optimized configuration from present method.
Annualized capital cost
/(106 $·y-1)		 Operational cost /(106 $·y-1) TAC
/(106 $·y-1)
Configuration from matrix method 0.74 2.06 2.80
Configuration from present method 0.80 1.76 2.56
Saving (%) −8.10 14.56 8.57
Tab.2  Comparison between conventional and new configuration
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Fig. 13(a) Pa)/bar 2.849 3.447 3.619
RRb)/(kmol·kmol-1) 0.387 3.786 0.652
Vfc)/(kmol·kmol-1) 0.436 0.489 0.602
Condenser duty/(GJ·h-1) −9.94 −8.66 −8.55
Reboiler duty/(GJ·h-1) 16.36 12.86 11.32
Fig. 13(b) P/bar 3.354 3.629 1.336
RR/(kmol·kmol-1) 0.328 0.644 1.316
Vf/(kmol·kmol-1) 0.433 0.477 0.491
Condenser duty/(GJ·h-1) −9.13 −8.43 −14.51
Reboiler duty/(GJ·h-1) 16.68 12.72 8.21
Tab.3  Optimization column parameters for configurations shown in Fig. 13
Fig.14  (a) Configuration that breaks the constraint bpb≥ bf; (b) configuration that breaks the constraint apt≥af.
1 A Giridhar, R Agrawal. Synthesis of distillation configurations: i. Characteristics of a good search space. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2010, 34(1): 73–83
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2009.05.003
2 R Agrawal. Synthesis of multicomponent distillation column configurations. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2003, 49(2): 379–401
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690490210
3 J K Kim, P C Wankat. Quaternary distillation systems with less than n−1 columns. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2004, 43(14): 3838–3846
https://doi.org/10.1021/ie030640l
4 H Yeomans, I E Grossmann. A systematic modeling framework of superstructure optimization in process synthesis. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1999, 23(6): 709–731
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-1354(99)00003-4
5 H Yeomans, I E Grossmann. Disjunctive programming models for the optimal design of distillation columns and separation sequences. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2000, 39(6): 1637–1648
https://doi.org/10.1021/ie9906520
6 J A Caballero, I E Grossmann. Logic-based methods for generating and optimizing thermally coupled distillation systems. Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering, 2002, 10: 169–174
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1570-7946(02)80056-6
7 J A Caballero, I E Grossmann. Design of distillation sequences: From conventional to fully thermally coupled distillation systems. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2004, 28(11): 2307–2329
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2004.04.010
8 X Zou, Y H Cui, H G Dong, J Q Wang, I E Grossmann. Optimal design of complex distillation system for multicomponent zeotropic separations. Chemical Engineering Science, 2012, 75: 133–143
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2012.02.045
9 M Errico, B G Rong, G Tola, L Turunen. A method for systematic synthesis of multicomponent distillation systems with less than n-1 columns. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2009, 48(4): 907–920
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2008.12.005
10 B G Rong, M Errico. Synthesis of intensified simple column configurations for multicomponent distillations. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 2012, 62: 1–17
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2012.10.005
11 B G Rong. A systematic procedure for synthesis of intensified nonsharp distillation systems with fewer columns. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2014, 92(10): 1955–1968
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2014.04.021
12 M Errico, B G Rong, C E Torres-Ortega, J G Segovia-Hernandez. The importance of the sequential synthesis methodology in the optimal distillation sequences design. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2014, 62: 1–9
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2013.11.010
13 W Z An, X G Yuan. A simulated annealing-based approach to the optimal synthesis of heat-integrated distillation sequences. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2009, 33(1): 199–212
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2008.08.001
14 Y Q Luo, X G Yuan, F L Dong. Synthesis and heat integration of thermally coupled complex distillation system. International Journal of Energy Research, 2009, 34(7): 626–634
15 F Wang, Y Q Luo, X G Yuan. A formulation methodology for multicomponent distillation sequences based on stochastic optimization. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2016, 24(9): 1229–1235
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2016.04.046
16 S Zhang, Y Q Luo, Y J Ma, X G Yuan. Simultaneous optimization of nonsharp distillation sequences and heat integration networks by simulated annealing algorithm. Energy, 2018, 162: 1139–1157
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.08.101
17 J Ivakpour, N Kasiri. Synthesis of distillation column sequences for nonsharp separations. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2009, 48(18): 8635–8649
https://doi.org/10.1021/ie802013r
18 V H Shah, R Agrawal. A matrix method for multicomponent distillation sequences. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2010, 56(7): 1759–1775
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.12118
19 A A Shenvi, V H Shah, J A Zeller, R Agrawal. A synthesis method for multicomponent distillation sequences with fewer columns. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2012, 58(8): 2479–2494
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.12752
20 G Kaibel, H Schoenmakers. Process synthesis and design in industrial practice. Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering, 2002, 10: 9–22
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1570-7946(02)80035-9
21 Y J Ma, Y Q Luo, X G Yuan. Simultaneous optimization of complex distillation systems with a new pseudo-transient continuation model. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017, 56(21): 6266–6274
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.7b00380
22 Y J Ma, Y Q Luo, X Ma, D L Chen, X G Yuan. Fast algorithms for equation-oriented flowsheet simulation and optimization using pseudo-transient models. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2018, 57(42): 14124–14142
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b01461
23 Y J Ma, Y Q Luo, S Zhang, X G Yuan. Simultaneous optimization of complex distillation systems and heat integration using pseudo-transient continuation models. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2018, 108: 337–348
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2017.10.004
24 A W Dowling, L T Biegler. Rigorous optimization-based synthesis of distillation cascades without integer variables. Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering, 2014, 33: 55–60
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63456-6.50010-7
25 W L Luyben. Distillation Design and Control Using Aspen™ Simulation. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2006, 87–89
[1] FCE-18121-OF-HH_suppl_1 Download
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed