Mass/heat‐exchange network representation of distillation networks

Abstract

Abstract This article introduces the “state space” conceptual framework to process synthesis, which is used to provide a novel representation of a distillation network as a composite heat‐ and mass‐exchange network. This representation suggests that distillation network synthesis may best be viewed as an interacting heat‐ and mass‐exchange network synthesis problem. In that regard, familiar tools (such as pinch diagrams) from both heat‐exchange network (HEN) and mass‐exchange network (MEN) synthesis are shown to be of use in arriving at energy‐efficient distillation network designs. Examples of propylene‐propane and solvent‐water separations are used to illustrate the proposed conceptual framework.