Energy expenditure in the thermal separation of hydrocarbon mixtures using a sequence of heat-integrated distillation columns

The thermal separation of hydrocarbon mixtures is assumed to take place in a sequence of heat-integrated distillation columns (HIDiC) coupled, via a heat exchanger network (HEN), with a refrigeration system. Using the approach based on Pinch Analysis, a procedure is proposed for minimising the compressor shaftwork in the refrigeration system. The theoretical considerations are illustrated by a test example in which a mixture of selected hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, ethene, propene) is separated in a sequence of HIDiC columns coupled with a refrigeration system.