Simulation of Heat Integrated Distillation Column HIDiC for Methanol-Water Separation

This paper demonstrates the high-potential energy saving of heat integrated distillation column (HIDiC) for industrial methanol-water separation, which has huge energy consumption because of its high purity products specifications. Effects of prevalent uniform heat distribution scenario on HIDiC’s Total EnergyConsumption (TEC) have been investigated. An optimum heat transfer duty based on the mentioned scenario is introduced. Calculation for comparisonbetween HIDiC and conventional distillation column is based on Total Annual Cost (TAC). The results show 30% reduction in TAC and 60% reduction in TEC forHIDiC versus conventional distillation columns, although HIDiC has two expensive devices; compressor and heat panel. Promising future will be anticipated for HIDiCs in industrial scale.