(211a) New And Novel Batch Distillation Processes

A number of new and novel batch distillation column solutions are developed to distill multicomponent mixtures in multiple pure product streams. An important feature of these new and novel solutions is that they retain the flexibility of the original conventional batch distillation column and yet provide large reduction in energy consumption. These configurations also lead to large reduction in batch cycle time. Depending on the mixture to be distilled, the time reduction can be as large as 50%. This paper will introduce all the new features and the operating modes.

The new batch distillation processes are expected to find application in a typical pharmaceutical, specialty chemical and agricultural industrial facility that utilizes a wide range of solvents. Another important feature of the new processes is that they can potentially eliminate slop cuts (i.e. waste solvent streams) and thereby remove the need to send waste solvents to environmentally hazardous incinerators.