Control Structure Design for Optimal Oparation of 4-Product Thermally Coupled Columns

Abstract

Control and operation of energy efficient complex distillation arrangements like Kaibel and Petlyuk columns can be challenging. This paper discusses the control structure design for stabilizing and operation of aforesaid systems for separating a 4-component feed namely methanol, ethanol, propanol and n-butanol as an example. The works carried out on the Kaibel column include experimental studies while the work on the Petlyuk column comprises only the simulation studies. The work demonstrates validation of proposed control structure for these two systems. Hence, provides the suggestions for operation of these designs as well as future works.