Control of Heat-Integrated Distillation Columns: Review, Trends, and Challenges for Future Research

Heat-integrated distillation columns (HIDiC) are well known for their high energy efficiency, which has been demonstrated through thorough model-based simulation and practical testing. Despite this advantage, HIDiC systems are fundamentally complicated and provide major hurdles, particularly in terms of dynamic control, complicating their industrial implementation. Ongoing research is critical to improving their stability and scalability, allowing for wider incorporation into industrial processes. This review focuses on the fundamental aspects of HIDiC systems, such as heat transfer models, design improvements, experimental research, modelling, simulation, optimization, and process control techniques. This paper summarizes the present status of research and identifies significant technological obstacles that must be overcome to increase the functionality and industrial applications of HIDiC technology. In response to the increased demand for energy-efficient industrial processes, the analysis also investigates current developments in HIDiC control and optimization methodologies. It evaluates several control approaches, both model-based and data-driven, and their capacity to handle the dynamic complexities seen in HIDiC systems. Furthermore, this paper discusses the most recent optimization efforts targeted at improving product purity, operational flexibility, and overall energy efficiency.