CFD-aided design of internally heat-integrated pressure-swing distillation for ternary azeotropic separation constrained by pinch pressure

This study addresses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for designing internally heat-integrated pressure-swing distillation (HIPSD) with improved energy efficiency in azeotropic distillation. An extended concept of pinch pressure is applied to determine the operating pressure of the HIPSD in a double annular column configuration for the circumvention of a distillation boundary and adequate heat transfer. For the separation of a highly azeotropic ternary mixture of butyl acetate, butanol, and water, the combination of a single unit of HIPSD and a decanter is employed. This azeotropic mixture is separated in different design alternatives for the given initial feed compositions. In each sequence, the heat transfer rate inside the HIPSD was calculated by the CFD method, and the total utility consumption accordingly decreased by 9.72% and 15.44%. The reboiler and condenser duty in the HIPSD were reduced by up to 48.65%. The separation efficiency in the condenser of the high-pressure column was improved enough to reach a zero reflux by the internal heat integration.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in designing internally heat-integrated pressure-swing distillation (HIPSD) for improved energy efficiency in azeotropic distillation. By calculating heat transfer rates inside the HIPSD using the CFD method, total utility consumption was reduced and reboiler and condenser duty in the HIPSD were significantly decreased. Improved separation efficiency in the condenser of the high-pressure column was achieved through internal heat integration.