Synthesis and optimization of energy integrated advanced distillation sequences

This paper explores the basis on which reliable screening of distillation sequences for energy-efficient separation zeotropic multicomponent mixtures can be carried out. A case study natural gas liquids is used to demonstrate approach. To solve this generic problem, a algorithm has been developed using optimization superstructure sequence synthesis shortcut models, in conjunction with transportation heat integration arrangement. Different approaches inclusion are explored and compared. The best few designs from then evaluated rigorous simulation. It found that problems type screened reliably models exchanger network designs. Non-integrated thermally coupled complex columns show much better performance than corresponding simple columns. However, once included difference between narrows significantly.