Tighter environmental regulations, higher energy costs, and growing competition have increased the drive for making distillation columns more efficient. One way to improve efficiency is to use complex columns -- which involve thermal coupling between different sections, and can include additional sections (such as side rectifiers) and/or prefractionators. Hyprotech's Piyush Shah provides guidance on evaluating these setups in the article on pp. 46-55.
July 2002Vol. 98, No. 7
Tighter environmental regulations, higher energy costs, and growing competition have increased the drive for making distillation columns more efficient. One way to improve efficiency is to use complex columns -- which involve thermal coupling between different sections, and can include additional sections (such as side rectifiers) and/or prefractionators. Hyprotech's Piyush Shah provides guidance on evaluating these setups in the article on pp. 46-55.
In This Issue
Squeeze More Out of Complex Columns
These distillation setups can cut capital and operating costs by up to 30%, and increase separation efficiency. Here is a straightforward method for evaluation. Piyush Shah -
Use Sustainability Metrics to Guide Decision-Making
Sustainability provides a framework for integrating environmental, social and economic interests into effective business strategies. Earl Beaver - Jeanette M. Schwarz - Beth R. Beloff -
Use the Correct Constant-Volume Specific Heat
The common assumption that for real liquids cv can be approximated by cp is not correct. To get accurate cv values, use equations of state. John Garvin -
Simplify Reliability Analysis of Chemical Processes
Originally developed for discrete manufacturing, this method can be applied to process units to detect which components may fail, and correct the situation before trouble happens. Farshad Nourai - Stella Grigorian - Kambiz Ghahremani -
Applying Six Sigma
By implementing Six Sigma at its ethylene unit, Sasol has been able to recover as much as 65% of the opportunities that could have been lost. Yogesh B. Trivedi -
Be a Better Bargainer
Follow these pointers to succeed in win-win negotiations. Robert W. Bly -