Strategies for starting up azeotropic distillation columns with multiple steady states

SONIA J. BENZ; JAVIER A. FRANCESCONI; NICOLÁS J. SCENNA

THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Año: 2004 vol. 82 p. 920 - 929

0008-4034

The operability of azeotropic distlilation columns with multiplicity is analysed during start-up by dynamic sirnulation. Different steady states can be reached by applying different start-up configuration and/or policies. The well-known benzene-heptane- acetone (BHA) system is studied. The process by which the column reaches these steady states can be seen through the examination of profile evolutions corresponding to the given start-up policies. Indeed, a clear partition of the start-up policies space yielding different solutions is achieved. Some properties of this space are explained and start-up critical values can be identified. Finally, some guidelines for start-up supervision are outlined for the study case.