The complex distillation column network systematic optimization by mathematical programming

Abstract We propose a new approach to minimize total operation cost of distillation column network where different types of complex columns exist. A new optimization framework for complex distillation column network was presented, and the proposed approach has been applied to the industrial process. The proposed approach is composed of two-level optimization procedure instead of solving overall equations at one time. We can obtain economic benefits in the optimized design using this systematic approach.