Design simulation and economic optimization of a benzene-toluene-xylene system distillation process upon the energy cost

Abstract

Distillation is the most extensively used in separation process of the chemical industry. Relationships between non-linear variables, multivariable interactions, dynamic system properties, and other irregularities render the study of design simulation and process optimization an interesting challenge for process engineers. The objective of the process optimization is to produce the most economical to conduct the system. This paper discusses the process engineering strategy started from the determination method of the degree of freedom, design variables, process tools, economic parameters, and the optimization process. The distillation variable optimized in this study was limited to reflux ratio. The optimum variable was construed from the reflux ratio producing the lowest total annual cost (TAC). Furthermore, it was analyzed the energy cost as optimization parameter in the total annual cost (TAC) calculation method to obtain minimum reflux ratio in distillation unit.