Experimental Methodologies to Verify Distillation Simulations

Presented here are practical considerations concerning the equipment and methods used for experimental verifications of simulations The use of process simulation tools for modeling distillation columns is invaluable for designing plant-scale columns. However, it can be difficult to know if the simulator is generating accurate predictions. Additionally, there are potential problems associated with distillation columns that process simulators do not address. Hence, experimental distillation studies are quite important to either verify the simulation results or to provide a path forward to improve the simulations (Figure 1). As a followup to a previous article that discussed the needs for experimental validation [1], this article presents the experimental methodologies used for validating process simulations. Figure 1. Experimental studies are important to either verify distillation simulations or to provide a path forward to improve the simulations[/caption] Batch, continuous or pilot? Once the need for experimental validation of distillation simulations has been identified, a decision must be made as to whether the experiments should be conducted in a batch column, a stand-alone continuous column or a continuous column within a…