Advanced process control scheme for dividing wall column and dual-dividing wall column with multiple products

Systems and methods are provided for improving process control of separation systems that include one or more dividing walls within a single column. It has been discovered that improved process control can be achieved by controlling the dividing wall columns based on energy balance instead of mass balance. The energy balancing can be performed in part based on controlling temperature at a plurality of locations on the feed side within a first divided portion of the column. Using energy balancing based on temperature control at a plurality of locations on the feed side can facilitate maintaining the operation of the dividing wall columns within a single region of phase space that can be suitably approximated by linear models. This can allow conventional process controllers to manage the manipulated and controlled variables. In addition to controlling the temperature at a plurality of locations on the feed side, a plurality of other characteristics can be used as manipulated or controlled variables. Optionally, a multivariable controller can be used to provide further improved control of the column.