A comparative study of different arrangements for methanol distillation process

The current study presents an effective method of determining and optimizing distillated methanol alternative arrangements. To complement the information required to run the rigorous simulation, Vminmethod is used as a base for the selection of the optimum arrangement among different alternatives. Results obtained from Vmindiagram and shortcut simulation are utilized, by means of the simulator, for the precise simulation of alternative arrangements of methanol distillation under optimum conditions. Taking into account target function profit and the process parameters and conditions, the most optimum parameter value for reaching maximum profit was obtained, based on which all the arrangements with or without their heat integration were compared to each other. Technical and economic analysis results indicate, that increased profit by Prefractionator with heat integration arrangement is 4.79% compared to the base arrangement, while the three-column, four-column and five-column arrangements have benefits increase by 3.61%, 3.55% and 3.46%, respectively.