State-of-the-Art of Advanced Distillation Technologies in China

Focusing on energy conservation and process intensification, a comprehensive overview of advanced distillation technologies in the past four decades in China is presented. Novel trays, packings, and gas and liquid distributors based on the fundamentals of such technologies are described. Hybrid distillation and distillation assisted by an external force field on the basis of process intensification principles like reactive distillation, extractive distillation, Higee technology, microwave-assisted distillation, etc. are reported. Energy-saving technologies such as dividing-wall column and internally heat integrated distillation column together with some important examples regarding the industrial application of advanced distillation technologies are evaluated. As a guide to develop distillation processes, a green distillation concept is proposed. Future perspectives of distillation techniques in China are indicated.