Batch Column Configurations for Extractive Distillation by Haydn I. Furlonge

Studies reported in the literature have shown that cyclic operation can be better than conventional operating policies. It was also demonstrated that the number of cycles, lengths of the total reflux periods and maximum reflux drum holdup are important decision variables which affect the performance of the operation. However, only simplified models have been used in simulation and optimisation. The use of more detailed models, which capture column dynamics more accurately, is required to verify the results obtained so far. Possible future research may also:

◘ optimise cyclic operation (involving more than one cycle per product cut) for the separation of multicomponent mixtures into multiple distillate cuts ;

◘ explore the effect of combining operating policies ;
◘ apply the cyclic policy to the middle vessel and multivessel column configurations;