Multicomponent homogeneous azeotropic distillation 2. Column design

A new design tool for single-feed, two-product columns separating multicomponent azeotropic mixtures is proposed. Column parameters are determined numerically, based on geometric principles. Many feasible combinations of design parameters can be determined rapidly, and can be represented conveniently in a feasibility matrix. This matrix can be used to identify favourable combinations of design parameters. The new column design method is developed separately for two cases-columns producing pure components, and columns performing general splits. In the case of columns producing pure components, the accuracy of the design method can be improved by the application of an iterative convergence procedure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.