Distillation column superstructure and MINLP-model based on R-graph representation

Abstract

A new model has been developed for distillation column synthesis and optimization based on R-graph represented superstructure. A GDP model is generated first; this is transformed into an MINLP model which represents only the considered structures, and uses minimum number of binary variables to make distinctions between the different structures. The MINLP model is compared to literature models (Viswanathan and Grossmann, 1993; and Yeomans and Grossmann, 2000). The new model uses less number of binary variables, and is significantly faster.