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Mathematical Analysis of Discontinuous Rectification Columns at Pilot Scale Based on the Continuous Stable States Concept and MESH Equations

Supporting Agencies
Universidad de Cartagena, Universidad del Valle

Abstract

Mathematical analysis and simulation of a discontinuous rectification column was performed using an operational strategy during the start-up before reaching a pseudo-stable state in discontinuous operation. The mathematical model was formulated focusing on the equilibrium state (ES) and implementing MESH equations (M: Mass balance, E: Equilibrium thermodynamics, S: Stoichiometry relations, H: Enthalpy or heat balance) to provide solutions using the Thomas method and the Wang-Henke algorithms internally coupled to the Fourth Order Runge-Kutta method. The results were validated with experimental data from a distillation column at a pilot scale using an ethanol-water system with an equilibrium behavior described by the UNIQUAC Functional-group Activity Coefficients (UNIFAC) and Predictive Soave-Redlich-Kwong (PSRK) thermodynamic models with a global error of 1.84%. The molar ethanol concentrations presented deviations from the mathematical model predictions from 1.51% to 0.02%, with a global mean error of 0.48%. A mean error of 0.055% was obtained for the temperature profile of the column, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the solution and its convergence capacity. The solution based on the Thomas method and the Wang-Henke algorithms coupled to the Runge-Kutta method made it possible to describe the behavior and variables of all stages of the distillation column. Operation at total reflux from start-up avoids wasting product and allows for the stabilization of the state variables, such as temperature and molar composition.

Keywords

PSRK method, Thomas algorithm, UNIFAC model, UNIQUAC model, Wang-Henke algorithm

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Author Biography

Jennyfer Diaz-Angulo

Roles: Conceptualization, Data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, validation, writing - original draft.

Alfonso Barbosa-Meza

Roles: Data curation, investigation, methodology, validation.

Fiderman Machuca-Martínez

Roles: Formal analysis, Resources, Software, Supervision.

Miguel-Ángel Mueses

Roles: Formal analysis, Project administration, Supervision, Visualization, Writing - review and editing.


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