A Short Review of Dividing Wall Distillation Column as an Application of Process Intensification: Geographical Development and the Pioneering Contribution of Prof. Arturo Jimenez in Latin America

Abstract In different geographical areas, various authors have distinguished themselves by substantial contributions to the area of process intensification, and in particular to the study of the dividing wall column (DWC). In the case of Mexico and Latin America, Professor Jimenez and his research group have been pioneers in the study of this complex distillation system. The contributions made by Prof. Jimenez and his doctoral students have been relevant regarding the state of the art of the dividing wall distillation column, since they have extended the studies to design, optimization and control of DWC not only for ternary separations but also for multicomponent separations, extractive, reactive and azeotropic cases in a wide variety of (bio) applications. These contributions have been made in the areas of simulation fields and experimental research, conducting to the implementation of an experimental dividing wall distillation column, is the first one reported in Latin America. This short review aims to show the contribution that Professor Jimenez has made in the study of the DWC, as well as to show the impact that Professor Jimenez has had on the national and international level with his work, particularly in the area of new knowledgein the continuous development of DWCs.