Development of a computational tool for designing multicomponent distillation columns

The present paper aims to develop new software to simulate multicomponent distillation columns. AmProS software can help students and professionals with different areas of expertise (e.g., chemistry, and chemical, mechanical, and food engineers) to solve and understand distillation and thermodynamics problems with critical thinking. A database of 113 hydrocarbon compounds was created to make the software use more dynamic. This user‐friendly software was developed using the “V model” methodology and Visual Basic language to carry out the design and establish the operation parameters of distillation columns. The user can choose between two preprogrammed equations of state (Peng–Robinson or Soave–Redlich–Kwong) for the calculation of thermodynamic properties. Two approaches were integrated in specific modules considering Shortcut and Rigorous distillation methods obtaining good accuracy (