Novel Solvents and Methods in Distillation Process

A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Separation Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 509

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: mass transfer and separation; distillation; phase equilibrium research; CFD simulation; Aspen simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The distillation process is the cornerstone of chemical engineering, and with the introduction of new solvents and innovative methods, significant progress has been made in the distillation process. These developments aim to improve separation efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance product purity. New solvents, such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, have unique properties such as low volatility, high thermal stability, and adjustable polarity, which can be used to optimize distillation processes. In addition, methods such as extraction distillation, azeotropic distillation, and pressure swing distillation are being improved to handle complex mixtures and challenging separations. For example, extraction distillation uses solvents to alter the vapor–liquid equilibrium and promote the separation of near-boiling-point compounds. Azeotropic distillation uses entrainers to break up azeotropes, while pressure swing distillation utilizes different boiling points at different pressures to achieve separation. These novel methods not only address traditional limitations but also pave the way for more environmentally friendly and sustainable distillation practices. In this Special Issue, we hope to collect the latest research progress in new distillation technologies and solvent-related fields to promote the development and prosperity of the distillation industry. I hope this Special Issue can provide an opportunity for researchers in this field to showcase their research findings.

Prof. Dr. Qunsheng Li
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • extractive distillation
  • distillation simulation
  • CFD simulation
  • Aspen simulation
  • mass transfer and separation
  • phase equilibrium research

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 3883 KiB  
Article
Optimization and Dynamic Adjustment of Tandem Columns for Separating an Ethylbenzene–Styrene Mixture Using a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Algorithm
by Guangsheng Jiang, Yibo She, Zhongwen Song, Liwen Zhao and Guilian Liu
Separations 2025, 12(6), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12060161 - 15 Jun 2025
Viewed by 321
Abstract
This study focuses on optimizing two tandem columns to separate ethylbenzene and styrene. A steady-state model is developed to minimize total energy consumption (TEC) and total annualized cost (TAC) by optimizing the reflux flow rates. An integrated dynamic model is created using the [...] Read more.
This study focuses on optimizing two tandem columns to separate ethylbenzene and styrene. A steady-state model is developed to minimize total energy consumption (TEC) and total annualized cost (TAC) by optimizing the reflux flow rates. An integrated dynamic model is created using the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm. This model is designed to account for transitions in operating conditions and to identify optimal dynamic strategies for adjusting operations to maintain optimal performance. The optimization considers factors such as fluctuation amplitude, the number of fluctuations, and fluctuation duration. The aim is to reduce fluctuation amplitudes while ensuring higher energy efficiency and stable operation. The results reveal that the optimal reflux flow rates are 41,152.2 kg/h and 1012.7 kg/h, leading to reductions in TEC and TAC by 16.7% and 17.4%, respectively. Compared with the industry standard level, the energy consumption has decreased by 11.25%. Against the backdrop of increasingly strict global carbon emission control, the market competitiveness of ethylbenzene/styrene production has been significantly enhanced. The variable-step adjustment method requires less time to reach a stable state, while the equal-step fluctuation method provides more stability. The Pareto solution set derived from the two optimization techniques can be used to select the most suitable adjustment strategy, ensuring a fast and smooth transition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Solvents and Methods in Distillation Process)
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