Graphical Design of Integrated Reaction and Distillation in Dividing Wall Columns

Abstract

This work introduces a geometric design approach for the integration of reaction and distillation in a heat-integrated wall-divided column. The behavior of composition trajectories in the reaction zone of the reactive dividing wall column (RDWC) is predicted by a graphical difference point method considering both reaction and separation terms. Through the visualization, the number of stages required, liquid and vapor molar compositions, and minimum reflux or reboil ratio can be precisely estimated before performing rigorous stage calculations. With the estimated operating conditions, the feasibility of the desired reaction with the recovery of pure components in a dividing wall column can also be evaluated under both reaction equilibrium and reaction kinetic constraints. This visualization method can provide design insights into a highly complex system of integrated reaction and separation in the RDWC.