New Distillation System promises substantial energy reductions

A new distillation system capable of reducing energy consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional columns has been developed by Toyo Engineering Corp. (Toyo; Chiba, www.toyo-eng.co.jp), in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST; Tokyo; www.aist.go.jp).

Toyo has an exclusive license for the process, tradenamed SuperHIDiC, and plans to use the technology in petroleum refining, petrochemicals and fine-chemicals production plants.

SuperHIDiC is based on the Heat Integrated Distillation Column (HIDiC), which Toyo has further developed to improve the performance and overcome difficulties associated with “conventional” HIDiCs. SuperHIDiC has a much simpler mechanical configuration, but can achieve a comparable or better energy-saving performance as previous HIDiCs, says Toyo.

The new system (diagram) divides the distillation column into two sections of rectifying and stripping, with heat exchange performed at the middle part of each section.

A thermo-siphon system was adopted for recycling the mixture without using pumping operation. A compressor is used to raise the pressure and temperature within the column, and the combination of side heat exchange and heat-pumping is said to reduce the energy consumption in half.

Toyo says that, in addition to energy savings, the SuperHIDiC is easier to maintain and can be used for a wider range of applications compared to existing HIDiC systems.

Ref: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - WWW.CHE.COM - JANUARY 2012