Multi-Product Dividing Wall Columns: A Simple and Effective Assessment and Conceptual Design Procedure

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to further exploit and demonstrate the potential benefits of a V-min diagram based analysis, using a fifteen component feed mixture as base case. Detailed explanations are given on how to interpret properly a V-min diagram and use it for DWC assessment. Emphasis is on how to set the component or fraction splits to maximize potential gains as well as how to handle some variations in the feed with the same purpose. Interestingly, it appeared that depending on the choice and specification of interesting products (components or fractions), a simplified four-product DWC and even five-product DWC could be an interesting option for aromatics processing plants.