Dynamic simulation of a multicomponent distillation column with asymmetric dynamics

Abstract

Abstract The dynamic behavior of an existing industrial distillation column with eight components and twenty trays has been investigated. The column exhibits “asymmetric dynamics”, since the time required to move from one steady state to another can vary significantly depending on the direction of the change. The column also exhibits highly nonlinear behavior and very long response times for intermediate ranges of step disturbances. These long response times are associated with the migration of key components through the column.