Simulation of Some Industrial Important Binary Distillation Columns

Abstract

Distillation is the most common unit operation in the chemical process industries and is still reported as the method of choice for many separations. Binary distillation is the ultimate separation / purification step. Separation Factor (SF) (Luyben,1990) for distillation is limited by vapor-liquid equilibrium ratios (K-values) in the form of Relative volatility (α12).Process modeling / simulation for conceptual design of binary distillation column is reported in literature mainly using (i) ideal VLE – constant relative volatility or (ii) two parameter relation for K-values(Doherty & Malone). We have attempted use of rigorous VLE model, UNIFAC. A model incorporating different variables, available in literature (Bequette W, 1996), is modified to make use of rigorous VLE models.. We have used MATLAB 6.1® and Spreadsheet for all simulation work. Steady state simulations are performed to show effect of above-mentioned variables on selection factor (Luyben, 1990) for some industrially important hydrocarbon systems. The model and simulation procedures can be useful in conceptual design.