From modeling to virtual laboratory development of a continuous binary distillation column for engineering education using MATLAB and LabVIEW

The utilization of computers in all aspects and scales of chemical engineering, from fundamental understanding to solution of large‐scale optimizations, is spreading quickly, hand‐in‐hand with access to data science and information technology. It is straightforward to involve computers and virtual laboratory tools into engineering education. This study presents the development of an interactive virtual laboratory method for a continuous binary distillation process. The three main steps, namely, mathematical modeling, model calibration, and graphical user interface (GUI) development are described and discussed in this paper. The model takes into account the specific needs of the simulator (fast run time) and limitations from the measurement system (calibration considerations). Then, it is validated based on temperature and concentration data from a lab/pilot scale continuous rectification column. The separation of an ethanol–water mixture is considered, the classroom example of distillation, which is, on the other hand, an azeotrope‐forming nonideal mixture. The objective of this paper, beyond the virtual laboratory coding description, is to provide useful guidelines for a user‐friendly and yet realistic simulator development for commonly available experimental devices in chemical engineering education. To fulfill this aim, MATLAB and LabVIEW, two routinely used programming languages by chemical and process engineers, are used.

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