Extractive Distillation Process Optimisation of the 1.0-1a Class System, Acetone - methanol with Water

The optimal design of an extractive distillation column and entrainer regeneration column sequence is studied with a MINLP method. The objective function minimizes the energy consumption per product flow rate under purity and recovery constraints. Total annual cost (TAC) for the process is calculated. A trade-off between the two columns variables is found and optimal parameters with lower energy consumption and TAC than literature results are found. A case study is provided with the extractive distillation separation of acetone-methanol with entrainer water (class 1.0–1a)