Prospectus

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MD-3 Use of Binary Methods on Computer Process Simulator Results Expected Benefit toMembers: A better knowledge of the effectiveness of binary/graphical methods will allow engineers to more effectively design distillation columns. Traditional Research Idea

Present Situation and Proposed Research: The ease and speed of rigorous tray to tray calculation has resulted in their use for the optimization of column designs. However, there are still supporters that believe the use of binary/graphical methods reveal important details about a column’s nature. Proposed Internals and Test System:

This is non-column work so no hardware is needed. A simulation package such as Aspen Plus is required. Estimated Unit Time: No more than 500-person hours of work are expected to be needed for this project. Funding of a student is a possible choice. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Contract work with a university ($20,000).

Background and Discussion: The use of McCabe-Thiele, Hengstebeck and other methods has been recommended for multicomponent distillation. However, there use is presently very limited. In 2001 Billingham and Lockett published a paper on packing mal distribution sensitivity that is based on a binary analysis. A better understanding on the effectiveness of such methods would greatly contribute to fractionation knowledge.

PROSPECTUS

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