A Study for Real-Time Distillation Column

Network Optimization by Mathematical

Programming and Multivariate Data
Seung June Choi, Ho Soo Kim,
Chong Hun Han, En Sup Yoon
Process System & Safety Lab.
Seoul National University

Contents

Motivation & Objective

The proposed RTO framework
The Screening Models
Bi-level Approach
Industrial Application
Results
Conclusion

Motivation & Objective

Energy savings is a hot issue in era of high oil

price.
Distillation remains the most widely used
separation technique
The only disadvantage of the distillation is its
high energy requirement.
It consumes about 40~50% of total stream.
Appropriate integration will be able to result in
significant energy savings.

RTO Framework for Column

Network Optimization

RTO for the entire column network requires

complex model and long computation time.
More compact, more simple, but model
which is well reflect of present process
situation.
Proposed RTO is combined by mathematical
programming and multivariate data analysis.
The bi-level and screening model approach
is used for proposed RTO.

The proposed RTO Framework for

distillation column
Model
Updating
Data
Reconciliation
& Multivariate
Data Analysis

Screening Model
Composition
Target

Utility Target

Equipment Allocation

Bi-level Approach Optimization

Design Constraints

Equipment overflow
constraints

Cost Data

PIS/PLANT

Operator
Review

The Screening Models

Algebraic optimization whose global solution

is a rigorous lower bound on the solution of
formulation.
They consider process structure, operation of
the tasks, and the allocation of equipments.
They provide both design targets and a valid
way in which to prune and screen discrete
alternatives.
The bi-level approach optimization is used
for performance of sub-problem.

The Bi-level approach optimization

Upper level
Optimal column distribution is
determined.
The benefit of load distribution is larger
than the lower level
Lower level
Unit distillation column optimization
It determine optimal reflux and reboiler
duty, feed stage etc.

Optimal Column Load Distribution

Model
P
w

Split1
Split2

B
F
B

Mixp
Mix1
Mix2

Split3

Mix3
B

Multivariate data analysis

Multivariate data analysis is used in determining the

sensitivity of variable and process monitoring.
PLS (Partial Least Square) Model is used as a
multivariate data analysis.
Process steam variables include input/output
flowrates of column, top/bottom conductivity, etc.

Industrial Application

Column network
process which has
five distillation
columns
(Three conventional
columns and two
azeotropic columns)

Results (1)
Interconnected Stream

Before Column Load

Change

After Column Load

Change

Change

X1

4.18

0.00

-1.48

X2

10.99

15.50

4.51

X3

0.00

0.00

0.00

X4

3.90

5.00

1.10

X5

2.98

3.00

0.02

X6

6.36

0.00

-6.36

X7

0.00

0.00

0.00

X8

20.00

20.50

0.50

Results of adjustments [ton/hr]

Before Column Load
Change

After Column Load

Change

Change

Column #1

26.46

23.44

-3.03

Column #2

48.21

53.46

5.24

Column #3

43.52

43.02

-0.50

Azeo Column #1

25.72

23.50

-2.22

Azeo Column #2

20.00

20.50

0.50

Results of distillation column load [ton/hr]

Results (2)
Before Column Load
Change

After Column Load

Change

Change

Column #1

20.41

13.49

-6.9

Column #2

55.99

60.83

4.84

Column #3

30.02

29.81

-0.21

Azeo. Column #1

22.42

21.38

-1.04

Azeo. Column #2

15.28

15.61

0.33

Saving

144.12

142.12

-3.00

Results of steam consumptions [ton/hr]

Conclusion

New real time optimization framework

for distillation column network is
proposed.
The screening models which have Bilevel approach is proposed.
PLS model was used for the multivariate
data analysis.
About 5% steam consumption saving
was achieved.