Novel separation system design using “moving triangles”

Shortcut design techniques have been employed in the initial design of traditional distillation systems. Current techniques are not useful in the design of novel or complex configurations however. We will show that by using column profile mapping “moving triangles” to model the behaviour of column sections (CS), any distillation configuration, no matter how complex, can be modelled and its behaviour more thoroughly understood. As an example, a thermally coupled column will be modelled using column profile maps. It is suggested that by gaining an understanding of the behaviour of the configuration quickly and easily, using column profile maps, time and money can be saved by avoiding poor initial decisions and designs.