Multi-level strategies for optimizing campaign structures for reactive batch distillation systems

Optimal operation policies are studied for two classes of reactive batch distillation applications: equilibrium limited reactions and irreversible reactions in which the desired product is subject to undesired further reaction. Campaign structures involving two or more main distillation operations are developed which can be embedded within a two level strategy optimizing the net profit of the operation. As a consequence, the objective of minimizing the generation of waste off-cuts can be integrated within the overall optimization of the manufacturing operation. The economic benefits of these campaign strategies are demonstrated with two case studies. This work serves as the starting point for a taxonomy of campaign strategies for different reactive distillation applications which can serve as guide for the practitioner. Copyright (C) 1998 IFAC.