Optimization of Dividing Wall Column with Heat Transfer Process Across the Wall for Feed Properties Variation

This paper investigates the thermal-coupled effect across the wall and the optimal heat transfer region of the wall for enhancing the energy saving effect of dividing wall column (DWC), and also studies the effects of feed thermal condition (q) and middle component composition of feed (cB) on the heat transfer process, the optimal heat transfer region, and the maximum heat transfer quantity across the wall. The simulation results show that the maximum heat transfer quantity across the wall and the potential for energy saving increase with the increase of q, while with the limitation of temperature difference across the wall, the beneficial heat transfer effect between certain range of stages, which are involved in the optimal heat transfer region, cannot be realized completely for a specific value of q. Besides, compared with q, a changing cB does not change the degree of realizing the beneficial heat transfer effect, but can bring about the variation of liquid split ratio (RL) and vapor split ratio (Rv). Thus, for achieving a maximum energy-saving effect of DWC, different q and cB need to find its own corresponding suitable heat transfer process across the wall.

Synthesis and Design of Distillation Columns for Wide-Boiling Binary Mixtures with Vapor Recompression Heat Pumps

The vapor recompression heat pump(VRHP) distillation technology offers significant improvements in energy efficiency for distillation systems with small temperature differences between the top and bottom of the column. However, the separation of wide-boiling binary mixtures leads to substantial temperature differences between the top and bottom of the column. This limits the applicability of conventional VRHP due to high capital costs and strict performance requirements of the compressor. To overcome these challenges and to accommodate compressor operating conditions, a novel synthesis and design method is introduced to integrate VRHPs with wide-boiling binary mixture distillation columns(WBMDCs). This method enables quick determination of an initial configuration for the integrated WBMDC-VRHP system and helps identify the optimum configuration with the minimum total annual cost. Two examples, namely the separation of benzene/toluene and isopropanol/chlorobenzene, are employed to derive optimum configurations of the WBMDC-VRHP and compare them with the WBMDC. A systematic comparison between the WBMDC-VRHP and WBMDC demonstrates the superior steady-state performance and economic efficiency of the WBMDC-VRHP.

Interpreting the dynamic effect of internal heat integration on reactive distillation columns

In this work,the impact of internal heat integration upon process dynamics and controllability by superposing reactive section onto stripping section,relocating feed locations,and redistributing catalyst within the reactive section is explored based on a hypothetical ideal reactive distillation system containing an exothermic reaction:A + BC + D.Steady state operation analysis and closed-loop controllability evaluation are carried out by comparing the process designs with and without the consideration of internal heat integration.For superposing reactive section onto stripping section,favorable effect is aroused due to its low sensitivities to the changes in operating condition.For ascending the lower feed stage,somewhat detrimental effect occurs because of the accompanied adverse internal heat integration and strong sensitivity to the changes in operating condition.For descending the upper feed stage,serious detrimental effect happens because of the introduced adverse internal heat integration and strong sensitivity to the changes in operating condition.For redistributing catalyst in the reactive section,fairly small negative influence is aroused by the sensitivity to the changes in operating condition.When reinforcing internal heat integration with a combinatorial use of these three strategies,the decent of the upper feed stage should be avoided in process development.Although the conclusions are derived based on the hypothetical ideal reactive distillation column studied,they are considered to be of general significance to the design and operation of other reactive distillation columns.

Synthesis of Heat Integrated Complex Distillation Systems via Stochastic Optimization Approaches

This paper addresses the application of stochastic optimization approaches to the synthesis of heatintegrated complex distillation system, which is characterized by large-scale combinatorial feature. Conventionaland complex columns, thermally coupled (linked) side strippers and side rectifiers as well as heat integration betweenthe different columns are simultaneously considered. The problem is formulated as an MINLP (mixed-integernonlinear programming) problem. A simulated annealing algorithm is proposed to deal with the MINLP problemand a shortcut method is applied to evaluate all required design parameters as well as the total cost function. Twoillustrating examples are presented.

Review on the effect of heat exchanger tubes on flow behavior and heat/mass transfer of the bubble/slurry reactors

Bubble/Slurry bubble column reactors(BCR/SBCR)are intensively used as multiphase reactors for a wide range of application in the chemical,biochemical and petrochemical industries.Most of these applications involve complicate gas–liquid/gas–liquid–solid flow behavior and exothermic process,thus it is necessary to equip the BCR/SBCR with heat exchanger tubes to remove the heat and govern the performance of the reactor.Amounts of experimental and numerical studies have been carried out to describe the phenomena taking place in BCR/SBCRs with heat exchanger tubes.Unfortunately,little effort has been put on reviewing the experiments and simulations for examining the effect of internals on the performance and hydrodynamics of BCR/SBCR.The objective of this work is to give a state-of-the-art review of the literature on the effects of heat exchanger tubes with different types and configurations on flow behavior and heat/mass transfer,then provide adequate information and scientific basis for the design and the development of heat exchanger tubes in BCR/SBCR,ultimately provide reasonable suggestions for better comprehend the performance of different heat exchanger tubes on hydrodynamics.

A Comprehensive Review of the Influence of Heat Exchange Tubes on Hydrodynamic,Heat,and Mass Transfer in Bubble and Slurry Bubble

Bubble and slurry bubble column reactors(BCRs/SBCRs)are used for various chemical,biochemical,and petro-chemical applications.They have several operational and maintenance advantages,including excellent heat and mass transfer rates,simplicity,and low operating and maintenance cost.Typically,a catalyst is present in addition to biochemical processes where microorganisms are used to produce industrially valuable bio-products.Since most applications involve complicated gas-liquid,gas-liquid-solid,and exothermic processes,the BCR/SBCR must be equipped with heat-exchanging tubes to dissipate heat and control the reactor’s overall performance.In this review,past and very recent experimental and numerical investigations on such systems are critically dis-cussed.Furthermore,gaps to befilled and critical aspects still requiring investigation are identified.

Forming method of wick structure for heat column

The intensified boiling and condensation wick structures of heat column were designed and manufactured by ploughing-extrusion （P-E） machining method.The forming process and mechanism were analyzed.The results show that the P-E depth plays a decisive role in forming of wick structure.The larger the P-E depth is,the better the surface characteristics are.Only when the groove spacing is in a certain range,superior surface structure can be formed in the wick.The better enhancement boiling structure forms at P-E depth of 0.3 mm,ringed groove spacing of 0.4 mm,and interior angle of radial groove of 3°;the better enhancement condensation structure forms at P-E depth of 0.3 mm,ringed groove spacing of 0.4 mm,and axial grooves spacing of π/3 mm.

Calculation of the Efficiency of Regenerative Air Heat Exchanger with Intermediate Heat Carrier

The study deals with a new regenerative air heat exchanger with an inter­mediate heat carrier used in the systems of room ventilation.A physical and mathematical model of the heat transfer process is proposed.The in­fluence of design and operating parameters on the temperature efficiency of the heat exchanger is analyzed.The possibility of a significant increase in its efficiency with a decrease in the packing diameter is shown.As a re­sult of calculations,it was found that with a decrease in the filling height,the maximum temperature efficiency shifted towards a decrease in the air flow rate from its value determined from the equality of water equivalents of liquid and air.

Experimental Investigation on Heat Exchange and Separation Performance of an Annular Structured Internal Heat-integrated Distillation Column

In this paper heat exchange coefficient and separation efficiency of an annular structured internal heat-integrated distillation column(HIDi C) were experimentally measured. About 50% heat of the inner column could be transferred to the outer column. The overall heat exchange coefficient decreased with an increase in pressure ratio of the inner column and the outer column, but was little affected by the F-factor. The increase of the pressure ratio decreased obviously the separation efficiency of the outer column but had little effect on that of the inner column.

Heat Transfer Investigation and Modeling of Heat Integrated Distillation Column

The high degree of reversibility of heat integrated distillation column(HIDiC) has been thermodynamically interpreted by the entropy method. In this paper, a heat transfer model and a more universal method were proposed, through which the overall heat transfer coefficient at different height of column under different operating conditions could be obtained before the experiment. Then the separation of a binary ethanol-water system was carried out experimentally as a case study to verify the heat transfer model and the aforementioned calculation method. The close results between the calculation, the simulation, and the experiments suggested that the proposed model and the calculation method in this paper were accurate and applicable. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that the HIDiC shows obvious effect of reducing entropy increase and improving thermodynamic efficiency as compared to conventional distillation column.

Desalination of Seawater by Liquid Columns and Decompression Boiling (Recovery of Condensation Latent Heat)

In this study, the concept of a new seawater desalination method and equipment using liquid columns of seawater and desalinated fresh water, decompression boiling and evaporation, condensation, and recovery of condensation latent heat are proposed. The equipment consists of seawater and freshwater columns approximately 10 m high with top spaces. The pressure of the top space, the evaporation and condensation area, of the seawater column, for example, is reduced approximately 30 mmHg (abs.) using the seawater column, after which it is heated from the general seawater temperature of 25°C to 30°C to boil and evaporate the seawater. The vapor is cooled by the seawater at approximately 25°C in a heat exchanger, and then, it is condensed and sent to the fresh water column. At this time, the condensation latent heat is recovered to preheat the newly flowing seawater. The evaporation or condensation rate, namely, the production rate of freshwater, by the new desalination equipment is also estimated by the results of the existing quadruplex effect vacuum evaporator used in the salt production industry. This new desalination method and its associated equipment also can be used to purify polluted water and waste water.

Energy conserving effects of dividing wall column

The energy-conserving performance of dividing wall column(DWC) is discussed in this paper. The heat transfer through the dividing wall is considered and the results are compared with that of common heat insulation dividing wall column(HIDWC). Based on the thermodynamic analysis of heat transfer dividing wall column(HTDWC) and HIDWC, both computer simulation and experiments are employed to analyze the energyconserving situation. Mixtures of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-octane are chosen as the example for separation.The results show that the energy consumption of HTDWC is 50.3% less than that of conventional distillation column, while it is 46.4% less than that of HIDWC. It indicates that DWC is efficient on separating threecomponent mixtures and HTDWC can save more energy than HIDWC. Thus it is necessary to consider the heat transfer while applying DWC to industry.

Large Eddy Simulation of New Vortex Generator Enhancing Heat Exchange of Solar Energy

This paper put forward a new-type vortex generator enhancing heat exchange of solar air-drier and air-heater on the gas side,and investigated the mechanism of heat transfer enhancement and drag reduction by the influence of vortex generators on the coherent structure of turbulent boundary layer.The flow and heat transfer characteristics of rectangle channel with bevel-cut half-elliptical column vortex generators were obtained using large eddy simulation(LES)and the hydromechanics software FLUENT6.3.The instantaneous properties of velocity,temperature and pressure in channel were gained.The coherent structure of turbulent boundary layer flow was showed,and the characteristic of vortex induced by inclined-cut semi-ellipse vortex generator and its influence on turbulent coherent structure were analyzed.And the effect mechanism of turbulent coherent structure on flow field,pressure field and temperature field was discussed.Based on the results,the heat transfer coefficient and drag reduction of the new vortex generator with different pitch angles were compared.Sometimes,the coherent effects of the increased wall heat transfer and the decreased skin friction do not satisfy the Reynolds analogy.The turbulent coherent structure can be controlled through the geometry of the vortex generator,so the heat transfer and drag reduction can also be controlled.Then we can seek suitable form of vortex generator and structure parameters,in order to achieve the enhanced heat transfer and flow of drag reduction in the solar air-heater and solar air-drier.

Shortcut Method of Design and Energy-Saving Analysis of Sargent Dividing Wall Column

The Sargent dividing wall column can implement four products separation sequences in one column based on Fully Thermally Coupled Distillation Column. The initial design parameters are required for the design optimization or dynamic control of the Sargent dividing wall column, and in order to make the rigorous simulation of the Sargent dividing wall column more conducive to convergence, a ten column model for complex Sargent column is established in this paper,and the shortcut design method of this model is proposed. The internal minimum vapor and liquid flow are obtained by the Underwood equations and the mass balance method and the V-min method. The separation for a 4-component shortcut mixture of pentane, hexane, heptane and octane was considered, while the initial values of design parameters and the ratio of vapor-liquid distribution of each column were calculated by using the shortcut design method of a ten column model. And by comparing the shortcut calculations with rigorous simulation results, the practicality and reliability of shortcut calculations were verified. The reason for energy saving was analyzed based on back-mixing. A virtual heat exchanger is proposed to make the Sargent dividing wall column more energy efficient.

Study on heat efficiency of laser-TIG double-side welding

A series of laser-TIG double-side welding experiments for aluminum alloys were carried out to investigate the heat efficiency of the process. The melting efficiency was introduced to evaluate quantitatively the degree of the mutual effect of the laser and the arc. The results showed that the melting efficiency of laser-TIG double-side welding exceeded the sum of the laser and the arc taken separately. With the increase of heat input, the weld depth and melting efficiency of the laser and the arc were increased signifwantly. This, in fact, implies the strong mutual effect of the laser and the arc as heat sources joined simultaneously in the process. Comparatively, the higher efficiency of the laser constituent of heat sources plays the main role in the increase of the process efficiency. The phenomena of arc column convergence, increased laser absorptivity and the formation of heat accumulation region are the causes of the improvement of heat efficiency.

A Comparison of Microwave-Assisted Heating with Conventional Heating of Sweet Potato <i>(Ipomoea batatas)</i>: Analysis of Monosaccharides and Disaccharides

Microwave-assisted heating has been recently used for extracting nutrient components from food materials. The technique sometimes invokes reactions from nutrient compounds during microwave-irradiation because it activates water molecules to reach a high temperature. The microwave-irradiation produced 5.3 g maltose per 100 g sweat potatoes in 30 s, which was faster than conventional heating (3.9 g maltose per 100 g in 300 s). Fructose level increased with the longer reaction time under microwave-irradiation (from 1.33 g to 1.65 g in 120s), but decreased with a longer reaction time under conventional heating (from 0.99 g to 0.83 g in 1200 s). This study demonstrates the differences in the reactions and products between microwave-irradiation and conventional heating.

Configuring topologically optimum vapor recompressed dividing-wall distillation columns to maximize operating efficiency

For dividing-wall distillation columns(DWDCs) separating a heavy-component dominated and wide boiling-point ternary(HCDWBT) mixture, a significant amount of excessive heat exists inevitably in stripping the heavy-component from the intermediate-component and it can be employed to initiate the development of vapor recompression heat pump(VRHP) assisted DWDC(VRHP-DWDC). Despite dividing wall may locate in the top, middle, and bottom, the optimum VRHP-DWDC is found to involve uniformlytwo VRHP circles. While the first one serves to compress and transform the excessive heat resulted from the separation of the heavy-component from the intermediate-component, the second one to compress and transform the overhead vapor stream of the light-component pre-heated sequentially with the condensate from the first one and the bottom product stream of the heavy-component, both releasing the temperature-elevated latent heat to the pre-fractionator's or common stripping section. The processing of two HCDWBT mixtures of benzene/toluene/o-xylene and n-pentane/n-hexane/n-heptane are selected to assess the derived optimum topological configurations of the VRHP-DWDC and their optimality is confirmed through detailed comparisons with the DWDC and two VRHP-DWDCs involving only one VRHP circle. The proposed strategy helps to tap the full potential of the VRHP-DWDC with considerably alleviated complication in process development.

Bubble and Heat Transfer Phenomena in Viscous Slurry Bubble Column

Heat transfer and bubble phenomena were investigated by adopting the drift flux model in a viscous slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR), having a diameter of 0.0508 m(ID) and height 1.5 m. The effects of superficial gas velocity (0.002 -0.164 m/s), solid concentration (0 - 20 wt%) and liquid viscosity (paraffin oil;16.9 mPa&bull;s and squalane;25.9 mPa&bull;s) on the gas holdup and heat transfer characteristics were examined. It was observed that the gas holdup increased with increasing superficial gas velocity (UG), but decreased with increasing solid concentration (SC) or slurry viscosity. The degree of non-uniformity in a SBCR could be determined by the modified drift flux model at the heterogeneous flow regime. The local heat transfer coefficient (h) between the immersed heater and the bed decreased with increasing liquid viscosity and SC, but it increased with increasing UG. The modified Nusselt number including the gas holdup and local heat transfer coefficient was well correlated in terms of dimensionless groups such as Reynolds and Prandtl numbers.

Simulation and heat exchanger network designs for a novel single-column cryogenic air separation process

To realize the industrialization of the novel single-column air separation process proposed in previous work,steady-state simulation for four different configurations of the single-column process with ternary(nitrogen,oxygen and argon)is developed.Then,exergy analysis of the single-column processes is also carried out and compared with the conventional double-column air separation process at the same capacity.Furthermore,based on the steady-state simulation of single-column processes,the different heat exchanger networks(HENs)for the main heat exchanger and subcooler in each process are designed.To obtain better performance for this novel process,optimization of process configuration and operation is investigated.The optimal condition and configuration for this process is consisted as:feedstock is divided into two streams and the reflux nitrogen is compressed at the approximate temperature of 301 K.In addition,HEN is optimized to minimize the utilities.HENs without utilities are obtained for the four different configurations of single-column process.Furthermore,capital costs of the HEN for different cases are estimated and compared.

A separation column for liquid mixture based on phase transform:Experiment and simulation

The concentric internally heat-integrated distillation column(HIDi C) has advantages of low energy consumption and high thermodynamic efficiency. However, its drawbacks of limited heat transfer area,complex internal structure, and large number of control parameters hinder its widespread industrial applications. To solve these challenges, in this work a novel sleeve-like concentric heat-integrated separation column, namely temperature-controlled phase change column(TCPC), was developed to separate liquid mixtures in a more effective and energy-saving way with reflux section being moved and trays being replaced with spiral corrugation blades. The comprehensive performances of TCPC in ethanol-water system was firstly evaluated by experiments. The results showed that TCPC performs well in ethanol-water separation due to the internal spiral corrugation significantly reducing the vapor-liquid contact in separation section. Meanwhile, compared to the concentric HIDi C, TCPC has a higher total heat transfer coefficient due to the larger heat transfer area. Computational fluid dynamics simulation reveals the internal design of TCPC inducing secondary vortices of the vapor, enhancing condensation heat transfer and separation efficiency. Further, increasing the mass flow rate within a certain range would enhance the comprehensive performance factor and lead to more effective separation.