Elaboration d'un logiciel de simulation du nombre de plateaux théoriques dans une colonne de distillation continue [ Development of simulation software of the number of theoretical plates in a continuous distillation column ]

In this paper, the authors have developed a software for the simulation of the number of theoretical plates in a continuous distillation column, based on the equations of vapor-liquid equilibrium and mass balance in the different sections of the column, by an iterative calculation tray by tray. Using an interactive graphical interface, the software can determine the compositions of the vapor and liquid fractions and temperature on each plate, and the liquid and vapor flow rates in the two sections of the column, it can even represent these balances graphically to determine the number of theoretical stages using the McCabe and Thiele method. The graduating temperature prevailing in the column increases upwards of 103.06°C (first tray) to 80.86°C (16th tray). The results of the number of theoretical stages estimated by the software coincide well with those determined graphically by the McCabe and Thiele method.