OPTIMUM DESIGN AND OPERATION OF BATCH RECTIFICATION ACCOMPANIED BY CHEMICAL-REACTION

Batch processes are widespread in the chemical industry. If batch synthesis or separation processes are to run economically, the operating conditions must be optimized and an appropriate arrangement of equipment must be chosen. In this paper, we demonstrate that optimization of operaiong conditions and plant-equipment by simulation during the planning-stages can yield large advantages. In contrast to previous studies, our models include the non-ideal behaviour of multicomponent mixtures and the kinetics of chemical reactions in the column. The results of the calculations are control functions that permit optimum operation to be realized. As an example, the reactionin a distillation column was optimized. Compared with conventional operation, the calculated control functions give an advantage in capacity of 65% and in energy consumption of 40%. The calculation was confirmed by measurements. A control algorithm is evaluated. © 1979.