Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Ideal Internal Thermally Coupled Distillation Columns

Internal Thermally Coupled Distillation Columns (ITCDIC) are the frontier of energy saving distillation research. In this paper, the ideal ITCDIC is considered. A novel mathematical model and a related simulation algorithm are proposed. The dynamic responses of open-loop, PID controllers and the responses of closed-loops are carried out. The results show that the ITCDIC is a self-balance process and could be operated smoothly with two PID controllers; the steady-state optimization met the need of ITCDIC optimization. Furthermore, a steady-state optimization model of the operation parameters is presented, which can be used to directly obtain the optimal operation parameters simultaneously guaranteeing not only the product quality and the maximum energy savings but also the dynamic operability and controllability. The benzene-toluene system is studied as an illustrative example.