Application of a thermally coupled distillation column with separated main columns to gas concentration process

A modified fully thermally coupled distillation column (FTCDC) for operability improvement is utilized in a gas concentration process. The column consists of a prefractionator and two separated main columns having high distillation efficiency and flexible control structure. The operability of the proposed column is evaluated by examining the open-loop dynamic responses of step input variations with the HYSYS simulation. The simulation result indicates that the modified system can give better control than the original FTCDC. The energy saving and reduction of construction cost are discussed, and the ease of vapor flow manipulation and the elimination of a compressor in the vapor transfer are also evaluated as possible improvements.