Investigation of distillation systems using heavy or intermediate entrainers for separating toluene-methanol: process economics and control

摘要

BACKGROUND: The separation of methanol-toluene by introducing aniline or triethylamine (Et3N) is investigated, with aniline and Et3N as heavy and intermediate entrainers, respectively. First, the conventional extractive distillation process with aniline as the extractive entrainer (HE) and the direct/indirect separating sequences using Et3N as intermediate entrainer (IE-D/IE-I) have been designed and optimized with rigorous simulations. Subsequently, the dynamic performances of these optimized processes are investigated with simple temperature control strategies. Finally, the steady-state process economics and dynamic performances for these processes are facilitated.