Shortcut methods for complex distillation columns : part 1 -- Minimum reflux

Shortcut Methods for Complex Distillation Columns: Part 1 -Minimum Reflux This two-part paper presents in detail the theory for calculating via shortcut methods the minimum reflux conditions and the number of stages and feed tray location for ordinary and thermally coupled columns. Nonadjacent key components are permitted. In this paper, part 1, the approximations made to estimate minimum reflux are similar to earlier methods such as those by Underwood and Colburn. However, some novel manipulations lead to particularly simple equations requiring only a few minutes to use, particularly for ordinary distillation columns. Several example problems demonstrate that the method compares favorably with these other approaches.