Acyclic directed graphs based on residue curves for feasability analysis

Abstract

Residue curve maps (RCMs) provide a rapid and graphical way to visualize the feasibility of separation, taking into account the azeotropic constraints and boundaries. Unfortunately, due to its graphical nature, they are mainly used for azeotropic ternary systems. RCM represents the composition column profiles for distillation units operated at infinite reflux flow rate. When checking the feasibility, the present paper proposes to use acyclic directed graphs since the column profile of compositions are not so relevant compared to the singular points joined by them.