Experimental investigation of the flexible operation of multiple dividing wall columns

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Distillation is one of the most energy-intensive separation processes and also the most widely used in the chemical industry. Estimates suggest that the process is responsible for 2.5 to 10 % of the energy consumed in the USA, thus distillation also contributes significantly to human-made climate change. Minimizing this impact is the overarching scientific goal of this application. One approach to this being studied intensively in recent years is process intensification, which aims to increase the efficiency of chemical processes. A common example for process intensification are dividing wall columns where this application focuses on multiple dividing wall columns (mTWK) with more than one dividing wall. Multiple dividing wall columns open up the possibility of saving up to 50% energy compared to conventional distillation of quaternary mixtures. However, the scientific literature on this topic has so far been limited exclusively to theoretical considerations. However, in November 2021, the first multiple dividing wall column worldwide was put into operation at Ulm University. As part of her PhD thesis the applicant has already dealt with the plant from a theoretical point of view. Now these theoretically achieved results are to be verified in practice at the pilot plant in Ulm. The focus of this application is on the experimental investigation of flexible operating windows of such plants. This behavior has the potential to facilitate stable and reliable operation of multiple dividing wall columns. Reliable experimental investigations, in combination with the theoretical preliminary work, deepen the understanding and should set the course to enable the transition of multiple partition wall columns into broad application and thus contribute to increasing the energy efficiency of distillation.