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"Use of Process Simulation for Distillation Design "

Timothy M. Zygula
Westlake Styrene Corp.
900 Hwy. 108
Sulphur, La 70664


Pamela C. Dautenhahn, Ph.D., P.E.
McNeese State University
College of Engineering and Technology
P.O. Box 91735
Lake Charles, La 70609-1735


Presented at the AIChE Spring National Meeting
5-9 March 2000
Atlanta

 

ABSTRACT


The focus of this publication will be to demonstrate how to use a process simulation package to successfully design a distillation column. The authors will present two test cases: a methanol and water system and a benzene, toluene, and cumene system These systems will be used to demonstrate the steps to obtain a good design using a process simulation package. First, equilibrium data results from the simulation will be compared to the literature data. The equilibrium data will be compared to results obtained from three commercial process simulation packages. Once the equilibrium data from the simulations have been determined to be reasonable, a step-by-step procedure will be provided demonstrating how to make sure your simulation results provide a successful design. These steps will be based on steps using graphical analysis techniques to evaluate simulation results. Finally, the authors will provide guidelines to select the correct mass transfer internals for the above mentioned design cases.

Process-simulation.pfd