A mass and energy balance stage model for cyclic distillation

Abstract Cyclic distillation is an emerging process intensification technology, which can improve separation efficiency compared to conventional distillation. As most current models only account for the mass transfer, there is a lack of a stage model for cyclic distillation processes, which includes considerations of both mass and energy transfer. Such a model is presented in this article, and using this model, selected case studies, describing binary and multiple component systems with both ideal and nonideal liquid phases, are investigated. The presented stage model allows for the modeling of both mass and energy transfer for a cyclic distillation process and allows for multiple feed locations, as well as side draws. With the energy balances included, the dynamic vapor flow rate can be described. This was shown to have a significant effect on the separation, especially for cases where the change in the vapor flow over the column height was high.