Cost Minimization by Genetic Algorithm and Energy Consumption Investigation in Separation of Ternary mixture

Distillation is still one of the most important operations in process engineering. In this research, ternary separation (Propane, Butane and Pentane) in distillation system was simulated to calculate the minimum total annual cost (TAC). Genetic algorithm was implemented to determine a number of significant variables. The effect of heat integration on direct arrangement, indirect arrangement and preferactionator arrangement was studied. The results show that the prefractionator arrangement (with heat integration) posses the best performance according to the minimum TAC.This system decreased the TAC to 45.60% in comparison with the direct arrangement (Without integration).