Dynamic modeling and abnormal simulation of rectifying tower

In view of mechanism principles, dynamic model of rectifying tower, one of the most important unit operations in chemical industry, was built in this work, and abnormal simulation for some typical faults was performed. The constant-volume flash model was proposed and utilized to model each distillation stage. During the modeling procedure, MATLAB software was used to code the model and execute dynamic simulation. The final steady-state result thus obtained was compared with the one from PRO/II to verify the correctness and accuracy of the model. Based on the above model, we choose three kinds of fault, that is, change of reflux ratio, feed thermal condition, and bottom heating quantity. Having the corresponding fault parameters set in the model, dynamic simulation is utilized to demonstrate consequences which these faults cause, thus it is possible to investigate fault occurrence behavior and facilitate early stage detection and control of abnormal event.