Optimization-Based Azeotropic Distillation System Synthesis Using Geometric Insights

The synthesis of
azeotropic distillation systems is challenging
due to the existence of compartments in the residue curve map coupled
with the combinatorial aspects from numerous possible system configurations.
In this work, an optimization-based approach is introduced to synthesize
homogeneous azeotropic distillation systems. The approach employs
a network-based representation generated via a matrix method. To design
the distillation columns, the modified Underwood equations are adopted,
in which pseudocomponent-based compositions are used. For cases where
separatrices are significantly curved, corrections via piece-wise
linear functions and collinearity properties are implemented. Two
examples are presented to illustrate the proposed approach.