Rate based analysis of internally heat integrated distillation columns (HIDiC)

A simulator for internally heat integrated distillation columns (HIDiC) with a rate based model was developed. Using a mass transfer correlation for structured packings and Chilton-Colburn analogy, heat transfer coefficients for the liquid phase were estimated. Although the effects of the compression ratio and the reflux ratio on the composition profiles were relatively large, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the internal heat exchange in the HIDiC based on the temperature difference of the bulk liquid between the rectifying and the stripping sections was ∼ 785 W/(sq m-K) regardless of the column height and the operating conditions. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 18th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering (Prague, Czech Republic 8/24-28/2008).