Aspen Plus Simulation of Ultrasound Assisted Distillation for Separating Azeotropic Mixture

Abstract

Earlier works have proved the potentials of altering the vapor liquid equilibrium of azeotropic mixture by sonication phenomena. In this work a mathematical model of a single stage vapor-liquid equilibrium system developed in Aspen Custom Modeler is exported to Aspen Plus to represent one stage of ultrasonic flash distillation (USF). The USF modules are connected serially to mimic a distillation process. As a case study, the separation of ethanol-ethyl acetate mixture is considered. The final targeted composition of 99 mole % of ethyl acetate was achieved when 27 USF modules were used despite the fact that the mixture form azeotrope at 55 mole % ethyl acetate. The results reinforced the anticipated potentials of sonication phenomena in intensifying distillation process to overcome azeotropes, and provide useful insights for the development of a pilot-scaled facility that is currently under development.