Application of Plate and Component Efficiency Correlations in Homogeneous Azeotropic Distillation Processes

In this work, plate and component efficiency correlations have been applied and their performances have been investigated to predict the behavior of extractive distillation columns (homogeneous azeotropic distillation processes). These correlations were developed based on physical and thermal characteristics of the system, as well as on mass and heat transfer mechanisms. The simulation results obtained with the efficiency correlations have been compared with those calculated using the nonequilibrium stage model and also with the experimental data of a pilot-scale extractive distillation column. Very good agreement was obtained. Therefore, it can be concluded that the efficiency correlations are reliable and applicable to extractive distillation processes. The use of these correlations allows the calculations of distillation behavior to be conducted more precisely and with a lower computational burden.