Synthesis of Azeotropic Batch Distillation Separation Systems

The sequencing of batch distillation systems, in particular batch distillation columns, can be complicated by the existence of azeotropes in the mixture. These azeotropes can form batch distillation regions where, depending on the initial feed to the batch column, the types of feasible products and separations are limited. It is very important that these distillation regions are known while attempting to synthesize sequences of batch columns so infeasible designs can be eliminated early on in the design phase. The distillation regions also give information regarding the feasible products that can be obtained when the mixture is separated by using a variety of batch column configurations. We will show how a tool for finding the batch distillation regions of a particular mixture can be used in the synthesis of batch distillation column sequences. These sequences are determined by the initial feed composition to the separation network. The network of all possible sequences will be generated by using state−task networks when batch rectifying, stripping, middle vessel, and extractive middle vessel columns are allowed. We do not determine which sequence is the best, as the best sequence will depend the particular application to which one is applying the algorithms. We show an example problem for illustration of this technique.