ANALYSIS OF THERMALLY COUPLED COLUMN CONFIGURATIONS

Abstract

In present study, analysis of conventional and thermally coupled columns configurations for the separation multi component mixture and the selection of optimal configurations have been presented based on simulation using Aspen Plus. Separation of aromatic compounds (naphtha reformate and ternary system) have been studied. In this work, RADFRAC Model of Aspen Plus software has been employed for the separation of aromatic compounds. Simulation results are compared with results of literature (Lee & Kim [2003]). Simulation results show the major deviation in the product purity as compared with Lee & Kim [2003]. This deviation has been reduced by modification in the various operating and geometric parameters. Modified configurations reduce the capital cost but increase the heat duty as compared with results of Lee & Kim [2003]. In this study, side stripper and petlyuk column configurations are more effective than conventional column because of lesser energy consumption for same separation. Separation efficiency and heat duty are obtained for all selected configurations (5 in number) and compared among them on the basis of energy consumption. In this investigation, thermally coupled with side stripper and petlyuk columns are compared with other configurations to indicate an energy saving of 28 and 21% respectively.