Automatic design of conventional distillation column sequence by genetic algorithm

Synthesis of the optimum conventional (with non‐sharp separations) distillation column sequence (DCS) is a challenging problem, in the field of chemical process design and optimization, due to its huge search space and combinatorial nature. In this paper, a novel procedure for the synthesis of optimum Conventional Distillation Column Sequence is proposed. The proposed method is based on evolutionary algorithms. The main criterion used to screen alternative DCS's is the Total Annual Cost (TAC). In order to estimate the TAC of each DCS alternative all columns that exist in the DCS are designed using short‐cut methods. The performance of the proposed method and other alternatives are compared based on the results obtained for four standard benchmark problems used by researchers working in this area. Based on the results of the comparison, the proposed method outperforms the other methods and is also more flexible than other existing methods.     

Optimal design of mixed acid esterification and isopropanol dehydration systems via incorporation of dividing-wall columns

This study explores the design of a reactive distillation system and that of a heterogeneous azeotropic system by incorporating dividing-wall column (DWC). The first system involves the esterification of mixed acid (acetic acid and propionic acid) with methanol. Simulation studies are carried out for conventional reactive distillation sequence as well as for reactive dividing-wall distillation system. Both systems are optimized by an iterative optimization procedure. Optimal design results show that the reactive dividing-wall system saves steam consumption by 45.2% and reduces total annual costs (TAC) by 34.5%. The second case investigated is a heterogeneous azeotropic distillation system involving dehydration of crude isopropyl alcohol with cyclohexane as entrainer. Two optimal separation systems are generated, including one with a single-dividing wall column and one with a double-dividing wall column. In comparison with an energy-efficient azeotropic distillation sequence containing two stripping columns by Chang et al. (2012) [1], simulation results show that the former two systems can cut steam usage further by 6.0%. The two systems save about 5.4–6.1% in terms of TAC. DWCs prove to be superior to the convention distillation systems with respect to both cost and energy efficiency.     

Design of memetic algorithms for the efficient optimization of chemical process synthesis problems with structural restrictions

In Urselmann et al., 2011a, Urselmann et al., 2011b we presented a memetic algorithm (MA) for the design optimization of reactive distillation columns. The MA is a combination of a problem-specific evolutionary algorithm (EA) that optimizes the design variables and a mathematical programming (MP) method that solves the continuous sub-problems with fixed discrete decisions which are proposed by the EA to local optimality. In comparison to the usual superstructure formulation, the search space of the MA is significantly reduced without excluding feasible solutions. The algorithm computes many different local optima and can handle structural restrictions and discontinuous cost functions. In this contribution, a systematic procedure to modify the MA to solve more complex design problems is described and demonstrated using the example of a reactive distillation column with an optional side- or pre-reactor with structural restrictions on the number of streams. New concepts to handle connected and optional unit operations are proposed.     

The effects of feed splitting and heat integration in classical arrangements on cost minimization in separation of ternary mixture

Multi-component separation by distillation is known as a conventional method in chemical processes. In this study the effects of feed splitting on three classical arrangements (with and without heat integration) were investigated in order to reduce the total annual cost (TAC). Ternery mixture separation (propane, butane and pentane) by distillation was selected as a case study. An optimization problem was defined based on the effective parameters affecting the total annual cost. Optimum values for decision variables were calculated by applying the genetic algorithm. Calculation results showed that the heat integration procedure in the feed splitting method reduced the TAC significantly. It was also indicated that the prefractionator arrangement with heat integration resulted in the greatest decrease in the total annual cost.     

Design and synthesis of multicomponent thermally coupled distillation flowsheets

The design and synthesis of thermally coupled distillation flowsheets for separations of five-component mixtures are studied. Four types of possible configurations are identified when simple and complex columns are both considered in a flowsheet. A universal design procedure is developed for design of any types of the identified configurations based on the abstraction of the three basic units in the flowsheets. Two examples demonstrated that this shortcut design method can be used in design of any types of the identified multicomponent thermally coupled distillation flowsheets, as well as give very good initializations for rigorous simulation of such configurations. Moreover, with a proposed computer representation of all the types of the feasible configurations, a synthesis algorithm is developed for synthesizing of multicomponent complex distillation flowsheets with both simple and complex columns. It is practical by the proposed methods for optimal design of multicomponent distillation systems in an extended search space to include the complex distillation flowsheets for industrial problems.     

Optimal Design and Economic Evaluation of Dividing‐Wall Columns

In an effort to reduce costs, a systematic optimization approach is proposed to address the energy consumption of dividing‐wall columns (DWCs). This iterative optimization procedure begins by minimizing the overall heat duty using an innovative objective function within a constrained design space. A sensitivity analysis is then carried out on the manipulated variables to obtain their optimal ranges. Optimal operating parameters are obtained through the evaluation of the total annualized cost (TAC). For the separation process of benzene/toluene/o‐xylene, the optimal DWC flow sheet exhibits a significant decrease in TAC when compared to conventional flow sheet optimum designs. The applied optimization method and sensitivity analysis have proven to produce results at the global optimum. This method is both practical and easily applied to other systems, even to systems with more than three components.     

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.     

带有中间热集成的精馏塔序列及其性能

提出一种带有中间热集成的精馏塔序列(IHISDC)的流程,针对三组元混合物分离的简单塔直接序列,对该流程进行了分析。与传统热集成精馏序列(HISDC)相比,提出的IHISDC通过中间换热器将高压塔的精馏段与低压塔的提馏段进行局部热集成,使能量集成精馏塔之间的压力差更小,进而使能耗费用下降。同时发现,IHISDC中的高压塔再沸器热负荷和低压塔冷凝器热负荷增加,由于换热器数量的增加,IHISDC的投资费用较大。为了进一步降低IHISDC的年度总费用,需要对其设计参数进行优化。     

多组分复杂精馏流程的简捷设计法

基于对含多个侧线汽提和／或侧线精馏塔的复杂精馏流程的分析,构造了分离五组分的复杂精馏流程。提出了基于流程水平的多组分侧线汽提和／或侧线精馏塔的复杂精馏流程的设计方法。该法不仅可用于多组分复杂精馏流程的优化设计,并且能为复杂精馏流程的严格模拟提供良好的初值,从而为探讨复杂精馏流程的合成提供有效的途径。     

Operational optimization of a simulated atmospheric distillation column using support vector regression models and information analysis

Like any other production processes, atmospheric distillation of crude oil is too complex to be accurately described with first principle models, and on-site experiments guided by some statistical optimization method are often necessary to achieve the optimum operating conditions. In this study, the design of experiment (DOE) optimization procedure proposed originally by Chen et al. (1998) and extended later by Chu et al. (2003) has been revised by using support vector regression (SVR) to build models for target processes. The location of future experiments is suggested through information analysis which is based on SVR models for the performance index and observed variables and reduces significantly the number of experiments needed. A simulated atmospheric distillation column (ADC) is built with Aspen Plus (version 11.1) for a real operating ADC. Kernel functions and parameters are investigated for SVR models to represent suitably the behavior of the simulated ADC. To verify the effectiveness of the revised DOE optimization procedure, three case studies are carried out: (1) The modified Himmelblau function is minimized under a circle constraint; (2) the net profit of the simulated ADC is maximized with all the 15 controlled variables free for adjusting in their operational ranges; (3) the net profit of the simulated ADC is maximized with fixed production rates for the three side-draws.     

Systematic optimisation technology for high-level screening and scoping of complex distillation systems

Established procedures for complex distillation synthesis employ detailed models that are unable to function for high-level screening. In this article, a new approach is presented in the form of Conceptual Programming for the preliminary screening of complex distillation systems. Conceptual Programming employs a generic supertask representation that replaces the need of superstructures. Tasks stand for simple distillation columns and hybrids represent complex distillation arrangements. A supertask accounts for all possible configurations without introducing representation and modelling difficulties. The basic tasks are then modelled using appropriate shortcut or semi-rigorous methods. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem is formulated to obtain the optimum structure and performance targets. The strengths of the approach are highlighted with a light alcohol separation problem.     

Design,optimization and controllability of an alternative process based on extractive distillation for an ethane–carbon dioxide mixture

Alternative configurations based on cryogenic extractive distillation were proposed and simulated by using Aspen Plus 7.0^® coupled to a multi-objective stochastic optimization procedure (differential evolution, DE). The evaluation of the performances of the proposed configurations was focused on the ethane–carbon dioxide azeotrope separation considering different liquefied hydrocarbon fractions as entrainers. The design alternatives were compared to the conventional chemical absorption system.The proposed sequences were simultaneously Pareto optimized by minimizing the total annual cost (TAC) and maximizing the acid gas removal. Complementary studies regarding the theoretical control properties, the thermodynamic efficiency and the greenhouse gases generation were conducted for several representative operating conditions obtained from the Pareto optimized fronts. The proposed cryogenic extractive distillation sequences realized the higher carbon dioxide removal together with the lower TAC compared to the conventional chemical absorption system.     

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.     

进料组成改变对隔板塔经济性影响的模拟

完全热耦合精馏相比传统精馏可以减少设备投资和操作费用,可代替传统精馏分离多组分混合物。对隔板塔（完全热耦合精馏塔）用于分离三组分混合物时的可操作性和经济性进行了研究。采用严格模拟方法,针对4种不同的进料组成设计了4种不同的隔板塔,并得出各个隔板塔气相和液相分割比对隔板塔年度总费用（TAC）的关系曲线,研究了当进料组成改变时4种隔板塔的经济性。     

Flowsheet synthesis and complex distillation column design for separating ternary heterogeneous azeotropic mixtures

The boundary value method for design of distillation columns separating ternary heterogeneous azeotropic mixtures is extended to include complex configurations, i.e. columns with integrated decanters and with multiple heterogeneous stages; double-feed columns; columns with intermediate decanters. The methods can be used for establishing product feasibility in a column and evaluating a column design in terms of cost. Multiple feasible designs can be generated for a given set of product specifications, according to the reflux ratio, number of heterogeneous stages and liquid phase ratio; these designs may be evaluated with respect to operating and equipment costs. Case studies illustrate the design method.An algorithmic approach is presented for synthesising novel sequences for separating, by distillation and decanting, ternary heterogeneous azeotropic mixtures. Existing synthesis procedures that consider only simple single-feed columns with decanters and integrated decanters are extended to include more industrially relevant options such as columns with several heterogeneous stages, double-feed columns, columns with intermediate decanters, and those accepting a heterogeneous liquid feed. With these advanced column configurations included in the synthesis method, a wider range of sequences may be considered systematically, allowing sequences that are more economically attractive than conventional designs to be identified. A case study illustrates the approach.     

Optimal design of extractive distillation columns—A systematic procedure using a process simulator

The separation of binary mixtures which form azeotropes is not possible through conventional distillation and they are usually separated by extractive or azeotropic distillation. The optimization of extractive distillation columns is usually performed using a process simulator; however, normally, the result is only obtained after several simulations and the simultaneous analysis of several graphs. This paper sets out to present a systematic procedure, using a process simulator (Aspen Plus^®), in order to obtain the optimum condition for extractive distillation columns. The optimization achieved is characterized by the fact that it is not necessary to perform various simulations, and it also avoids the simultaneous analysis of dozens of curves. The dehydration of aqueous mixtures of ethanol using ethylene glycol as solvent was the system chosen as a case study.     

Design and control of pressure-swing distillation for separating ternary systems with three binary minimum azeotropes

The separation of ternary nonideal systems with multi-azeotrope is very important because they are often found in the waste of chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which is much more difficult due to the formation of multi-azeotrope and distillation boundary. We propose a systematic procedure for design and control of a triple-column pressure-swing distillation for separating ternary systems with three binary minimum azeotropes. This procedure involves thermodynamic insights, a two-step optimization method, and effective control strategy. The separation of tetrahydrofuran (THF)/ethanol/water is used to illustrate the capability of the proposed procedure. It is found that the pressure limits in columns can be determined through the analysis of residue curve maps, distillation boundary, and isovolatility curves. The optimal triple-column pressure-swing distillation is generated with the minimum total annual cost (TAC) of $2.181 × 10⁶ in sequence A. The operating conditions are well controlled approaching their desired specifications in an acceptable time when disturbances occur. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 1281–1293, 2019     

Optimization of the Design and Operation of Extractive Distillation Processes

The achievement of the optimal operating point of extractive distillation systems involves determining the values of the process variables, such as the solvent flowrate, the reflux ratio of the extractive, and recovery columns. From the point of view of design, the optimum involves defining the number of stages of extractive and recovery columns, as well as the feed stage positions of these columns. The above-mentioned columns are coupled through a recycle stream, which makes obtaining the optimal operating and design points a more complex task. This study arose from a new procedure for the analysis of extractive distillation columns, in which the solvent mole fraction in the solvent feed stage is the primary variable to be analyzed. The procedure allows for determining the values of the process and design variables that provide the global minimum for the total annual cost and the specific energy consumption of the extractive distillation processes (extractive and recovery columns). Furthermore, it is possible to determine the minimum solvent flowrate and the minimum reflux ratio for separation. Obtaining anhydrous ethanol using ethylene glycol as solvent is the case study of this work.     

Energy saving and thermodynamic efficiency of a double-effect distillation column using internal heat integration

The existing internally heat-integrated distillation column with the problem of utilizing a compressor is modified to propose a new heat-integrated distillation column without the compressor. Two identical columns of a conventional binary distillation are implemented to the heat integration. The energy used in the reboiler is recovered by the internal heat integration between the stripping section of one of the columns at lower pressure and the rectifying section of the other higher pressure column. The heat integration is similar to double-effect distillation, but internal heat integration requires less pressure elevation. The performance of energy saving and thermal efficiency improvement of the proposed system is evaluated with the two examples of the benzene-toluene and methanol-ethanol processes. The performance comparison indicates that the proposed system requires 17.4% less of reboiler duty for the benzene-toluene process and 15.8% less of heating duty for the methanol-ethanol process. The thermal efficiencies are 16.3% and 23.8% for the benzene-toluene and methanol-ethanol processes, respectively. Elimination of the compressor makes the column operation easy and the separate reboilers and condensers for the two columns in the proposed system provide flexible control, when the controllability of the proposed system is compared with that of the existing internally heat-integrated distillation column.     

Industrial application of an extended fully thermally coupled distillation column to BTX separation in a naphtha reforming plant

Aromatic compounds are yielded from naphtha reforming in a petrochemical plant, and the products are separated with binary distillation columns for benzene, toluene, xylene and heavy components in sequence. In this study, the first three columns of the fractionation process in the naphtha reforming unit are replaced with an extended fully thermally coupled distillation column (EFTCDC) also known as the extended Petlyuk column. An industrial-sized application of the EFTCDC is examined to compare the performance of the column with a conventional system. From a structural design giving the optimum structure of the column, a practical column structure is derived and used in the HYSYS simulation to find the optimal operation condition for a given set of product specifications. The EFTCDC gives an energy saving of 9.7% over a conventional three-column process. In addition, it is proved that the design procedure is good for an industrial process of 18 components.