Distillation: Revisiting some rules of thumb

Abstract

The distillation heuristics for the optimization of distillation-column design and operation are discussed. It is stated that the reflex ratio is an important variable affecting the capital cost and operation cost of a distillation column and the total cost is found to be minimum at an intermediate reflex ratio. The performance of the design is found to be improved substantially by optimizing the feed stage. Simulations using high speed computer enable more accurate distillation calculations with relative ease.