Prospectus

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MD-4 Rate Based Systems

Developmental Research Idea

Expected Benefit to Members: Reduced number of trays or reduced packing height due to ability to more accurately predict the component separation. Present Situation and Proposed Research: FRI methods are based on predicting how closely the mass transfer approaches equilibrium. It is possible that another conceptual approach would provide better predictions of distillation performance. Once such approach is the use of rate-based mass transfer. FRI has not investigated in any major way this alternative computation approach. Perhaps it provides a more accurate framework to allow the modeling of mass transfer. We propose obtaining a rate-based computation tool and test it against FRI data. This may mean licensing a process simulator or working in partnership with a process simulator vendor. The tool would be used to investigate how well it does in predicting the existing FRI test data. It is expected that all the data necessary for the computations may not be available. Correlation from the literature will be tested to see if they are sufficient or if additional FRI experimental work is needed. A separate prospectus item would cover that work. Proposed Internals and Test System: None Estimated Unit Time: No column time is needed. The initial phases suggested here are simple paper studies. They would identify what data is needed by a rate-based distillation computation. The result of this work would be to propose specific tests to be conducted to get the necessary data to support input to the rate-based distillation computations. In other words, more prospectus items would be generated from this paper study. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Most likely contract work ($25,000).

PROSPECTUS

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