Optimizations and heat integrations on the separation of toluene and 1-butanol azeotropic mixture by pressure swing distillation

In this study, optimizations on separation of Toluene and 1-Butanol mixture is carried out by pressure swing distillation process. New heat integration methods are applied and compared to conventional PSD process by using vapor recompression technique combined with pressure swing distillation process. New heat integration methods show positive results to decrease the utilities used in the process. A simulator Aspen HYSYS V8.4 is used for simulating all processes. Cost analysis is also performed and Aspen HYSYS V8.4 optimizer program is used for optimizing profit for the process. Pressure is also optimized for minimum heat duty requirements in the process and the ultimate concern is to minimize the total reboiler heat duties and overall operating cost for the system which results into increasing profit.