(79c) Network of Dividing Wall Columns in Complex Process Units

The use of Dividing Wall Columns (DWCs) and thermally-coupled distillation designs are gaining acceptance in the industry as more is known about these systems. However, the usage has been limited to stand-alone towers in grassroots or revamp designs.

This presentation will share operating experiences and designs for a network of DWCs in a complex separation process. The magnitude of CAPEX and OPEX savings is substantially increased in a system of separation towers, and the degrees of freedom is increased. There will be cases studies based on a DWC network in the following systems:

• Naphtha Hydtrotreating
• C5/C6 Isomerization
• Reformer Gas Plant

Authors

• Joseph C. Gentry, jgentry@gtctech.com – GTC Technology
• Manish Bhargava, mbhargava@gtctech.com – GTC Technology
• Norihito Suzuki – TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK, Japan

GTC Technology

900 Threadneedle St., Suite 800

Houston, TX 77079

281-597-4800