Energy and exergy analysis of a stacked complex sequence and alternatives for ternary distillation

Detailed energy and exergy analyses are conducted for a stacked complex sequence (SCS) and alternatives for a ternary zeotropic distillation problem. Multi-objective optimizations are performed using both cost and thermodynamic efficiency as objective functions. The results show that while a dividing-wall column (DWC) offers a significant improvement in both cost and thermodynamic efficiency compared to a conventional sequence, the SCS performs better by every metric considered and at every point on the Pareto front of cost and thermodynamic efficiency. These results suggest that SCSs deserve serious consideration as an alternative to thermally coupled or DWC configurations for the separation of ternary mixtures.

Automated summary

This study conducts detailed energy and exergy analyses for a stacked complex sequence (SCS) and alternatives for a ternary zeotropic distillation problem. Multi-objective optimizations are performed, and the results suggest that SCSs are a viable alternative to thermally coupled or DWC configurations for the separation of ternary mixtures.