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Pinch‐based shortcut method for the conceptual design of adiabatic absorption columns
Author(s) -
Redepenning Christian,
Marquardt Wolfgang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.15499
Subject(s) - adiabatic process , process (computing) , pinch , key (lock) , mathematical optimization , conceptual design , absorption (acoustics) , computer science , pinch analysis , phase (matter) , process integration , mathematics , algorithm , industrial engineering , process engineering , thermodynamics , chemistry , mechanical engineering , engineering , materials science , physics , computer security , organic chemistry , operating system , human–computer interaction , composite material
Shortcut methods are valuable tools for the fast evaluation of key performance indicators in the early phase of conceptual process design. For the design of absorption columns, operation at minimum solvent demand represents a thermodynamically sound indicator, which is, however, difficult to determine because an infinite number of separation stages need to be considered. Instead, the suggested shortcut model exploits the existence of the pinch point to identify operation at minimum solvent demand. Existing shortcut concepts, such as the well‐known equation of Kremser (Natl Pet News, 22, 43–49, 1930), are significantly outperformed by the novel shortcut model, which can be gradually refined to any desired accuracy. Integration into a stepwise procedure results in reliable solutions. The model covers rigorous thermodynamics; no simplifications regarding phase equilibrium, heat effects, or number of components are required. The performance of the method is illustrated by several case studies with up to seven components. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 63: 1213–1225, 2017