Sensitivity analysis in the simulation of the azeotropic rectification

The effect of liquid-vapour equilibrium uncertainties on simulation of ternary homogeneous azeotropic system rectification was studied. The main element in the study is a sensitivity analysis where rectification column simulations were done with the HDIST program. Calculations are presented for a representative set of systems and operational conditions. The paper also presents results that show the possibility of using shortcut procedures to do the sensitivity analysis. The main conclusion shown by the results is that previous to a rectification column simulation it is necessary to do a sensitivity analysis to allow the identification of the most sensitive binary system, that which controls reflux and its associated composition range. The obtention of the thermodynamic model parameters adjusting the relative volatility of this binary system allows the reduction of uncertainty in the calculations.