Distillation Columns

Modeling and
Simulation in Chemical
Engineering
WEEK TEN - DISTILLATION COLUMNS
Ing. M.Sc. Manuel A. Figueredo
DISTILLATION
COLUMNS
Ing. MSc. Manuel Alfredo Figueredo
Generalities
• It depends on a difference in the composition of the
liquid and vapor phases with the equilibrium.
• Distillation. Use heat and cooling.
• Absorption/Desorption. Use a solvent.
• They use the same equipment, same mathematical
treatment: mass and energy balance, equilibrium
relationships.
Methods
• Short Methods: Those that by means of graphs or short
algorithms provide basic column information. (Stages,
feed, loads).
• Rigorous Methods: Calculate in detail the mass and

energy balances through the column.
Calculation modules
DSTWU RadFrac MultiFrac
Distl RateFrac PetroFrac
SCFrac Extract BatchFrac

DSTWU
• Short Winn-Underwood-Gilliland method used for simple

columns.
• The desired recovery of light and heavy components is
specified (design).
• Results: number of theoretical stages, minimum reflux
ratio, feed stage, heat loads.
Distl
• Simulation of multistage columns with a
food stream and two products (Rating).
• Calculation of the output composition of the
products through an Edmister approach.
• It implies equimolar flows and constant
relative volatilities.
SCFrac
• Short method for simulating complex
columns: a feed, any quantity of products
and stripping steam (optional).
• Crude Processing Units.
• Empty columns.
RadFrac
• Rigorous method that calculates
any liquid-vapor separation
operation.
• Ordinary distillation.
• Absorption and stripping.
• Extractive and azeotropic
distillation.
• Reactive distillation (equilibrium,
conversion, electrolytic, etc.).
RadFrac
RadFrac
• Design Specifications.
• Design and evaluation of stages and
packing.
• Specification of Murphree efficiencies.
• Thermal and hydraulic analysis.
• Convergence algorithms: inside-out,
Newton, Sum-rates.
MultiFrac
• Rigorous model to simulate multiple
interconnected separation units.
• Applications in air separation columns,
combinations of absorbers and strippers,
etc.
• It assumes equilibrium stage but it is
possible to specify Murphree efficiencies.
PetroFrac
PetroFrac
• Rigorous model to simulate the separation
operations of the crude oil refining industry.
• Preflash towers
• Atmospheric units.
• Vacuum towers
• Oven modeling: power stage, simple flash,
flash with bypass.
RateFrac
• Rigorous model of non-equilibrium.
• The separation degree is determined through
the mechanisms of mass and heat transfer.
• Does not use empirical factors (Eff, HETP, etc.).
• It is used to evaluate and design stages and
packed columns.
Extract
• Rigorous model for simulating liquid-liquid
extractors.
• It handles multiple feeds, heaters/coolers and side
streams.
• It calculates the distribution coefficients.
• This module is only used for extractor evaluation
calculations.
BatchFrac
• Model for batch distillation that solves
dynamic mass and energy balances.
• It calculates time-based profiles.
• It involves equilibrium stages, constant
liquid retention and null vapor retention.
Distillation column in Aspen Plus
Results
Results
Temperature C
45,0 50,0 55,0 60,0 65,0 70,0 75,0 80,0 85,0 90,0 95,0100,0105,0110,0115,0120,0125,0130,0135,0
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
Stage
Block B1: Temperature Profile
Results
6,0
7,0
8,0
Temperature C
9,0
Short method in Hysys
• Use the Fenske method to calculate the minimum number of
stages.
• Use the Underwood method to calculate the minimum reflux.
• Using an operation reflux, the flows of the enrichment and
stripping zones can be calculated; loads, the number of ideal
stages and feeding stage.
Distillation columna in Hysys
• Input flow stage 3: 1000 kmol / h.
• Composition: nC4 to nC10 including isomers. Total 9 components. Equimolar
• P input: 2 atm.
• T input: Bubble point.
• 9 stages including condenser and reboiler
• Total condenser
• Isobaric column
• Adiabatic column, except condenser and reboiler.
• Reflux Ratio: 0.9
• Distillation Speed: 638 kmol / h
• Determine:
– Temperature, concentration (x, y). Vapor and liquid flow profiles depending on
the stages.
– Heat loads in the condenser and reboiler.
• Parameter Page
– Requires the information of the light and heavy key
components. The light component is the most volatile.
– Be aware: It is light key in the bottoms (the value must
be small), and heavy at the top (the value must be
small).
– Pressures: The pressure profile must be defined
using the condenser and reboiler pressures.
Distillation column in Hysys
B1
3
Homework 1
Homework 2
References
• GIL, Ivan. GUEVARA, Javier. et.al. Analisis y simulación
de procesos en Ingeniería Química. Universidad
Nacional de Colombia. 2011.
• MILQUEZ, Harvey. Apuntes de Clase. 2011

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Distillation Columns

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Modeling and

• Rigorous Methods: Calculate in detail the mass and

Distl RateFrac PetroFrac

SCFrac Extract BatchFrac

• Short Winn-Underwood-Gilliland method used for simple

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