Effect of Recycle Streams on the Closed-Loop Dynamics of Thermally Coupled Distillation Sequences

The effects of thermal links on the closed-loop dynamics of thermally coupled distillation sequences for the separation of quaternary mixtures have been studied in this work by using rigorous dynamic simulations. The incorporation of thermal links into conventional distillation sequences can lower the energy consumption up to 40% without introducing additional control problems to the resulting thermally coupled distillation sequences. In some cases, the thermally coupled distillation sequences outperformed the dynamic behavior of the conventional distillation sequences for set point tracking. This result is important to establish that thermally coupled distillation sequences not only can have significant energy savings but also good dynamic properties.     

Energy Efficiency of an Indirect Thermally Coupled Distillation Sequence

Several thermally coupled distillation sequences have been proposed to improve the thermal inefficiency of conventional distillation sequences. Particularly, for the separation of ternary mixtures, structures that perform a lateral extraction in one of the columns of the integrated arrangement have been shown to provide significant energy savings. The structure of existing sequences, based on conventional distillation columns, might provide the basis for alternate thermally coupled designs. In this paper, it is shown how a thermally coupled system derived from an indirect conventional sequence can provide energy savings through a proper optimization of the interconnecting streams.     

三组元全热耦合精馏过程的模拟计算

本文利用Aspen软件对三组分进料全热耦合精馏的分离流程进行设计和模拟,建立了相应的具体计算步骤。首先利用三塔模型把热耦合精馏过程简化为3个单独的简单清晰分割塔,通过简捷法设计和模拟得到塔板数和回流比等初值后进行严格法模拟,得到热耦合精馏的数据和操作条件。然后采用Aspen软件中的RadFrac模型,将三塔模型的模拟初值代入全热耦合模块进行严格模拟。结果表明,采用全热耦合精馏分离C4三组分比传统精馏的直接序列和间接序列节能约为20%。     

Controllability analysis of modified Petlyuk structures

Fully thermally coupled distillation columns (Petlyuk‐type columns) represent an interesting alternative to conventional distillation sequences used in multicomponent mixture separation processes, due to potential savings in both energy and capital costs. However, possible operational difficulties have limited the industrial applications of Petlyuk systems. Some of the control challenges result from the transfer of vapour stream back and forth between columns. This means that those columns do not display a uniform lower or higher pressure with respect to the other. Recently, some alternative Petlyuk‐type schemes that might provide better operation properties than the traditional Petlyuk column have been proposed. In this work, the theoretical control properties of six alternative schemes to the Petlyuk system were obtained and compared. This was performed by using the singular value decomposition (SVD) technique in the frequency domain. Also, dynamic closed‐loop responses for set point tracking and disturbance rejection were obtained to support the theoretical control properties. The results showed that the reduction in the number of interconnections and the use of unidirectional flows affected the dynamic properties of the complex schemes leading to potential operational advantages in thermally coupled distillation sequences.     

液化天然气分离的节能蒸馏工艺

采用严格模拟计算的方法,对液化天然气分离过程的现有常规蒸馏工艺与热耦蒸馏工艺、侧线提馏工艺、双效蒸馏工艺和热集成工艺进行了模拟,并比较了其能量消耗。模拟计算结果显示,复杂蒸馏工艺都比常规蒸馏工艺减少了能耗和操作成本。其中,热耦蒸馏工艺可比常规蒸馏工艺节能21.4%,侧线提馏工艺节约13.3%,双效蒸馏工艺可节约34.7%,热集成工艺节约则达37.6%左右,表明新工艺在此分离过程中都有较好的应用前景,尤以多效蒸馏和热耦蒸馏最有优势。     

Hybrid Distillation/Melt Crystallization Process Using Thermally Coupled Arrangements: Optimization with evolutive algorithms

Innovative hybrid processes offer significant cost savings, particularly for azeotropic or close-boiling mixtures. Hybrid separation processes are characterized by the combination of two or more different unit operations, which contribute to the separation task by different physical separation principles. Despite of the inherent advantages of hybrid separation processes, they are not systematically exploited in industrial applications due to the complexity of the design and optimization of these highly integrated processes. In this work we study a hybrid distillation/melt crystallization process, using conventional and thermally coupled distillation sequences. The design and optimization were carried out using, as a design tool, a multi-objective genetic algorithm with restrictions coupled with the process simulator Aspen Plus™, for the evaluation of the objective function. The results show that this hybrid configuration with thermally coupled arrangements is a feasible option in terms of energy savings, capital investment and control properties.     

Synthesis of complex thermally coupled distillation systems including divided wall columns

The design of thermally coupled distillation sequences explicitly including the possibility of divided wall columns (DWC) is described. A DWC with a single wall can be considered thermodynamically equivalent to a fully thermally coupled (FTC) subsystem formed by three separation tasks (a Petlyuk configuration in the case of three‐component mixtures). It is shown how to systematically identify all the sequences of separation tasks that can produce configurations that include at least a DWC. Feasible sequences that explicitly include DWCs are enforced through a set of logical relationships in terms of Boolean variables. These logical relationships include as feasible alternatives from conventional columns (each column must have a condenser and a reboiler) to FTC systems (only one reboiler and one condenser in the entire system). A comprehensive disjunctive programming formulation for finding the optimal solution is presented. The model is based on the Fenske, Underwood Gilliland equations. However, the disjunctive formulation allows easily the use of any other shortcut, aggregated or even rigorous model without modifying much the structure of the model. Two illustrative examples illustrate the procedure. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1139–1159, 2013     

Structural design of fully thermally coupled distillation column using approximate group methods

The thermally coupled distillation column systems can save energy and capital cost compared with traditional distillation columns. Since the thermally coupled column system was introduced, the design concerns have been peeped out due to more degrees of freedom. This paper introduces a new design method that can be used to determine the structure of thermally coupled distillation column systems, namely the number of stages in all sections of the column system. The design method employs the approximate group methods. To explore the design performance of the proposed design method, three feed systems are analyzed to investigate its usefulness. The design procedure gives the optimum structure for a given ternary separation; with given product specifications various design methods can yield approximately the same results. Like structure designs, the optimal internal flow distributions are examined. The results indicate that the method works well for a variety of process conditions.     

Controllability analysis of alternate schemes to complex column arrangements with thermal coupling for the separation of ternary mixtures

Thermally coupled distillation systems (TCDS) have been proposed to perform distillation separation tasks with the incentive of achieving lower energy consumption levels with respect to conventional distillation sequences. In particular, the presence of recycle streams for TCDS schemes has influenced the notion that control problems might be expected during the operation of those systems with respect to the rather well-known behavior of conventional distillation sequences. That has been one of the main reasons for the lack of industrial implementation of thermally coupled distillation schemes. Recently, some alternatives to thermally coupled distillation arrangements that might provide better operational properties than the complex columns have been proposed. In this work, we analyze the control properties of two alternatives to the coupled systems. The results indicate that a reduction in the number of interconnections in alternate configurations does not necessarily provide an improvement of controllability properties.     

Reducing Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions in Thermally Coupled Azeotropic Distillation

The design and optimization procedures of a heterogeneous thermally coupled azeotropic distillation sequence with a side stripper (TCADS‐SS) for the purification of isopropanol has been investigated. The proposed procedures can detect the optimal values of the design variables and thereby guarantee the minimum energy consumption, which is related to the minimum CO₂ emissions and the lowest total annual cost (TAC). The procedures are applied to the study of the separation of azeotropic mixtures using the two distillation sequences. In the TCADS‐SS, the top end of the side stripper has both liquid and vapor exchange with the main column, which eliminates a condenser in contrast with the conventional heterogeneous azeotropic distillation sequence (CHADS). The results show that not only reductions in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions but also higher thermodynamic efficiency can be obtained for the TCADS‐SS.     

萃取精馏分离苯/环己烷共沸体系的控制策略

将常规萃取精馏、差压热耦合萃取精馏以及隔壁塔萃取精馏技术应用于以糠醛为萃取剂的苯和环己烷共沸物分离过程。在稳态模型的基础上,利用Aspen Dynamics软件进行控制研究,对三工艺流程提出了若干控制策略。结果表明,对于常规萃取精馏过程,再沸器热负荷与进料量比值控制结构在降低控制过程超调量方面表现出明显优势;对于差压热耦合萃取精馏过程,带有压力-补偿控温策略的方案控制效果更佳;而对于隔壁塔,则选择了无隔板下方气液分离比控制的结构来作为较优的控制策略。     

A Short Note About Energy‐Efficiency Performance of Thermally Coupled Distillation Sequences

In this work, we present a comparative study of the energy‐efficiency performance between conventional distillation sequences and thermally coupled distillation arrangements (TCDS) for the separation of ternary mixtures of hydrocarbons under the action of feedback control loops. The influence of the relative ease of separation of the feed mixture and its composition was analyzed. The feedback analysis was conducted through servo tests with individual changes in the set points for each of the three product streams. Standard PI controllers were used for each loop. The results show an apparent trend regarding the sequence with a better dynamic performance. Generally, TCDS options performed better for the control of the extreme components of the ternary mixture (A and C), while the conventional sequences offered a better dynamic behaviour for the control of the intermediate component (B). The only case in which there was a dominant structure for all control loops was when the feed contained low amounts of the intermediate component and the mixture had similar relative volatilities. The Petlyuk column provided the optimal choice in such case, which contradicts the general expectations regarding its control behaviour. In addition, the energy demands during the dynamic responses were significantly lower than those observed for the other distillation sequences. TCDS options, therefore, are not only more energy efficient than the conventional sequences, but there are cases in which they also offer better feedback control properties.     

Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in extractive distillation: Part II. Dynamic behavior

The structure of thermally coupled distillation systems offers several control challenges arising from the transfer of vapor (or liquid) streams between columns. In particular, the presence of recycle streams for coupled schemes has led to the notion that control problems might be expected during the operation of these systems, in contrast to the rather well-known behavior of conventional distillation sequences. In this work, we analyze the control properties of thermally coupled extractive distillation schemes studied previously (Gutiérrez-Guerra, R., Segovia-Hernández, J.G. and Hernández, S., 2009, Reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in extractive distillation. Chem Eng Res Des, 87: 145–152). Control properties are analyzed with the application of the singular value decomposition technique and a closed-loop analysis. The results showed that the energy savings predicted in the complex extractive distillation sequence can be achieved along with good dynamic behavior and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.     

Rapid assessment of thermally coupled side columns

Thermally coupled distillation is well-proven in low temperature gas processing where energy is relatively expensive. Although the thermodynamic efficiency of thermally coupled columns is similar to conventional columns, thermal coupling reduces energy flows. This can lead to attractive savings in both energy and capital cost. This paper shows that the conventional Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland method for short cut distillation design is as appropriate for thermally coupled columns as it is for conventional distillation. This enables comparisons of conventional and thermally coupled columns to be made easily, and should help to make thermal coupling a more accepted means of improving energy efficiency in distillation systems.     

Extension of a Method for the Design of Divided Wall Columns

For most separations, a fully thermally coupled distillation column or divided wall columns are thermodynamically more efficient than conventional columns. This paper develops a method for the design of divided wall columns consisting of multi‐component mixtures (more than three components) with constant relative volatilities and a relatively sharp separation between the key components.     

苯氯化侧反应精馏过程的系统设计与控制(英文)

The distillation column with side reactors (SRC) can overcome the temperature/pressure mismatch in the traditional reactive distillation, the column operates at temperature/pressure favorable for vapor-liquid separation, while the reactors operate at temperatures/pressures favorable for reaction kinetics. According to the smooth operation and automatic control problem of the distillation column with side reactors (SRC), the design, simulation calculation and dynamic control of the SCR process for chlorobenzene production are discussed in the paper. Firstly, the mechanism models, the integrated structure optimal design and process simulation systems are established, respectively. And then multivariable control schemes are designed, the controllability of SRC process based on the optimal steady-state integrated structure is explored. The dynamic response performances of closed-loop system against several disturbances are discussed to verify the effectiveness of control schemes for the SRC process. The simulating results show that the control structure using conventional control strategies can effectively overcome feeding disturbances in a specific range.     

热偶精馏塔操作特性的模拟研究

热偶精馏虽然具有明显的节能优越性,但长期以来并未在工业中普遍推广应用.本文试图从其操作性能角度研究其难以推广的原因及工业应用前景.本文闸明:在不同的系统中,热偶精馏塔的操作特性有很大差别;只有难分离程度低N_(?)的系统,其操作特性可以满足工业应用的要求.本文还对热偶精馏的多解现象进行了探讨,并指出:不同的解虽然均可满足设计规定的要求,但由于在塔的外形尺寸及操作特性上均不相同,故设计应找到操作特性最佳解为设计基础.     

Process simulation for the recovery of lactic acid using thermally coupled distillation columns to mitigate the remixing effect

The objective of this study was to find process simulations of the plant-wide scale lactic acid recovery process using thermally coupled distillation columns to mitigate the remixing effect. The remixing effect has been widely discussed because in a conventional column arrangement it induces a need for a significant amount of energy for repurification in lactic acid recovery processes. One way to overcome high energy consumption is by using thermally coupled distillation columns. This paper suggests and compares two types of thermally coupled distillation columns applied to the plant-wide scale lactic acid recovery process for removing the remixing effect considering a heavy organic impurity and lactic acid oligomerization in the process. The equilibrium stage model based on the RADFRAC module of Aspen Plus was employed for simulating the thermally coupled distillation columns. Simulation results showed that thermally coupled distillation columns can eliminate the remixing effect and reduce energy consumption compared to conventional lactic acid recovery processes.     

基于随机优化的热耦合复杂精馏系统的综合（II）计算举例与分析

应用部分(Ⅰ)提出的模型化方法,对多个5组分混合物分离问题进行了求解,以说明方法的实施和有效性.对不同优化方案的优化结果及其经济性做了比较和分析,基于分析结果,对多组分热耦合复杂精馏流程的经济性和设计规则进行了初步归纳.     

Steady state analysis of snowball effects for reaction–separation–recycle systems with thermally coupled distillation sequences

It is known that the steady and dynamic characteristics of processes with recycles can be significantly different from those without recycle streams. Particular attention has been given to the reactor–separator–recycle (RSR) system; because of the existence of snowball effects, a small load change can translate into a large change in the recycle flowrate, which propagates throughout the whole system. Previous works have analyzed the influence of separators on snowball effects using flash units and conventional distillation columns. This work explores the existence of snowball effects in steady state conditions under the implementation of thermally coupled distillation sequences in RSR systems. In particular, the implementation of coupled systems with side columns (sequences with side rectifiers or side strippers) is considered. A simplified process for ethylbenzene production is taken as a basis, and the effects of implementing thermally coupled systems on snowball effects are compared to those generated by conventional distillation systems.