First Principle Modeling and Neural Network–Based Empirical Modeling with Experimental Validation of Binary Distillation Column

Abstract

Abstract To get the better product quality and to decrease the energy consumption of the distillation column, an accurate and suitable nonlinear model is crucial important. In this work, two types of model have been developed for an existing experimental setup of continuous binary distillation column (BDC). First model is a theoretical tray-to-tray binary distillation model for describing the steady-state behavior of composition in response to changes in reflux flows and in reboiler duty. Another model is an artificial neural network (ANN)–based input/output data relationship model. In ANN-based model, temperature of first tray, feed flow rate, and column pressures have been taken in addition to reflux flow rate and reboiler heat duty as inputs to give the more accurate I/O relationship. The comparison of output of ANN model and the equation-based model with the real-time output of the experimental setup of BDC has been given for the validation of developed models.