Automatic synthesis of complex separation sequences with recycles

摘要

A method for rapid generation of feasible distillation sequences for a continuous separation of azeotropic mixtures has been developed. It allows crossing distillation boundaries by pressure change, by exploiting their curvature or by liquid-liquid separation in decanters. The method automatically identifies suitable recycling options and calculates recycle mass balances. In the paper a few examples of synthesis of separation schemes for homogeneous as well as for heterogeneous azeotropic mixtures are presented, where various methods of crossing distillation boundaries are explored and recycles are automatically calculated.