Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.004

中国化学工程学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 85 ›› Issue (9): 167-181.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.004

Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study

Xuefeng Feng^1,2, Huiqin Zhou^1,2, Yi Zhang^1,2, Shaolan Zhuang^1,2, Zhongwei Ding^1,2, Qunsheng Li^1,2, Yuxin Li^3,4

1. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
2. Engineering Research Center of Preparation Technology of Ultra-Pure Chemicals for Integrated Circuits, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
3. College of Basic Medical Science, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolia Key Lab of Molecular Biology, Hohhot 010059, China;
4. Inner Mongolia Algal Life Science Co., LTD, Ulanqab 011800, China

收稿日期:2025-03-12 修回日期:2025-05-30 接受日期:2025-06-02 出版日期:2025-09-28 发布日期:2025-06-13
通讯作者: Qunsheng Li,E-mail:buctlqs@126.com;Yuxin Li,E-mail:20200043@immu.edu.cn
基金资助:
We are thankful for financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2106300) and the National Nature Science Foundation of China (U2267226).

Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study

Xuefeng Feng^1,2, Huiqin Zhou^1,2, Yi Zhang^1,2, Shaolan Zhuang^1,2, Zhongwei Ding^1,2, Qunsheng Li^1,2, Yuxin Li^3,4

1. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
2. Engineering Research Center of Preparation Technology of Ultra-Pure Chemicals for Integrated Circuits, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
3. College of Basic Medical Science, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolia Key Lab of Molecular Biology, Hohhot 010059, China;
4. Inner Mongolia Algal Life Science Co., LTD, Ulanqab 011800, China

Received:2025-03-12 Revised:2025-05-30 Accepted:2025-06-02 Online:2025-09-28 Published:2025-06-13
Contact: Qunsheng Li,E-mail:buctlqs@126.com;Yuxin Li,E-mail:20200043@immu.edu.cn
Supported by:
We are thankful for financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2106300) and the National Nature Science Foundation of China (U2267226).

摘要/Abstract

摘要： This study delves into the optimization of the methanol-vinyl acetate (VAC) azeotrope separation process via pressure swing distillation (PSD), along with an evaluation of its energy-saving potential. The methanol-VAC system, a polar azeotrope highly susceptible to pressure variations, presents notable separation complexities in polyvinyl alcohol production. Aspen Plus simulations were utilized to assess the feasibility of PSD, with particular emphasis on critical process parameters such as the number of theoretical plates, feed position, reflux ratio, and sidestream extraction location. The results indicate that PSD demonstrates remarkable efficacy in separating methanol and VAC, achieving purities of 99.88% and 99.73% respectively. When compared to extractive distillation, PSD achieves a reduction of 9.07 t·h^-1 in steam consumption and minimizes wastewater generation by 20.77 t·h^-1. Furthermore, the economic assessment reveals a 7.91% decrease in the total annual cost associated with PSD. This study not only provides theoretical insights but also offers practical guidance for the design of energy-efficient and sustainable separation processes. Future research will focus on extending the analysis to encompass multi-pressure scenarios, further enhancing the applicability and robustness of the findings.

关键词: Pressure swing distillation (PSD), Methanol-vinyl acetate (VAC) azeotrope, Energy-saving potential, Aspen Plus simulation, Total annual cost (TAC)

Abstract: This study delves into the optimization of the methanol-vinyl acetate (VAC) azeotrope separation process via pressure swing distillation (PSD), along with an evaluation of its energy-saving potential. The methanol-VAC system, a polar azeotrope highly susceptible to pressure variations, presents notable separation complexities in polyvinyl alcohol production. Aspen Plus simulations were utilized to assess the feasibility of PSD, with particular emphasis on critical process parameters such as the number of theoretical plates, feed position, reflux ratio, and sidestream extraction location. The results indicate that PSD demonstrates remarkable efficacy in separating methanol and VAC, achieving purities of 99.88% and 99.73% respectively. When compared to extractive distillation, PSD achieves a reduction of 9.07 t·h^-1 in steam consumption and minimizes wastewater generation by 20.77 t·h^-1. Furthermore, the economic assessment reveals a 7.91% decrease in the total annual cost associated with PSD. This study not only provides theoretical insights but also offers practical guidance for the design of energy-efficient and sustainable separation processes. Future research will focus on extending the analysis to encompass multi-pressure scenarios, further enhancing the applicability and robustness of the findings.

Key words: Pressure swing distillation (PSD), Methanol-vinyl acetate (VAC) azeotrope, Energy-saving potential, Aspen Plus simulation, Total annual cost (TAC)

Xuefeng Feng, Huiqin Zhou, Yi Zhang, Shaolan Zhuang, Zhongwei Ding, Qunsheng Li, Yuxin Li. Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2025, 85(9): 167-181.

参考文献

[1] C. Souza, J.X. Feng, A. Olah, G. Wnek, E. Baer, Thermoformable high oxygen barrier multilayer EVOH/LDPE film/foam, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 137 (30) (2020) 48903.
[2] H.R. Zhang, Q. Zhao, M.J. Zhou, P.Z. Cui, Y.L. Wang, S.Q. Zheng, Z.Y. Zhu, J. Gao, Economic effect of an efficient and environmentally friendly extractive distillation/pervaporation process on the separation of ternary azeotropes with different compositions, J. Clean. Prod. 346 (2022) 131179.
[3] S. Nakamura, Solubility curve and liquid-liquid equilibrium of vinyl acetate-methanol water system and separation of vinyl acetate from vinyl acetate methanol mixtures by extraction, J. Soc. Chem. Ind. Jpn. 71 (3) (1968) 319-321.
[4] Z.Y. Zhu, X.L. Geng, W. He, C. Chen, Y.L. Wang, J. Gao, Computer-aided screening of ionic liquids as entrainers for separating methyl acetate and methanol via extractive distillation, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 57 (29) (2018) 9656-9664.
[5] J. Camacho, E. Diez, I. Diaz, G. Ovejero, Vapor-liquid equilibrium at p/kPa = 101.3 of the binary mixtures of ethenyl acetate with methanol and butan-1-ol, J. Chem. Eng. Data 57 (11) (2012) 3198-3202.
[6] L.J. Krolikowski, Feasible separation regions for distillation with ternary systems: an algorithm, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 59 (41) (2020) 18579-18594.
[7] Y. Su, A. Yang, S.M. Jin, W.F. Shen, P.Z. Cui, J.Z. Ren, Investigation on ternary system tetrahydrofuran/ethanol/water with three azeotropes separation via the combination of reactive and extractive distillation, J. Clean. Prod. 273 (2020) 123145.
[8] S.R. Sun, W. Chun, A. Yang, W.F. Shen, P.Z. Cui, J.Z. Ren, The separation of ternary azeotropic mixture: thermodynamic insight and improved multi-objective optimization, Energy 206 (2020) 118117.
[9] C. Jaksland, reportInternal Report on JOULE Project JOU2- R, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, 1996.
[10] A. Yang, W.F. Shen, S.A. Wei, L.C. Dong, J. Li, V. Gerbaud, Design and control of pressure-swing distillation for separating ternary systems with three binary minimum azeotropes, AIChE J. 65 (4) (2019) 1281-1293.
[11] J.S. Lee, K.H. Choi, H. Do Ghim, S.S. Kim, D.H. Chun, H.Y. Kim, W.S. Lyoo, Role of molecular weight of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the structure and properties of PVA nanofabric prepared by electrospinning, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 93 (4) (2004) 1638-1646.
[12] Y.H. Yu, C.Y. Lin, J.M. Yeh, W.H. Lin, Preparation and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)-clay nanocomposite materials, Polymer 44 (12) (2003) 3553-3560.
[13] G. Miao, K.S. Zhuo, G.Q. Li, J. Xiao, An advanced optimization strategy for enhancing the performance of a hybrid pressure-swing distillation process in effective binary-azeotrope separation, Sep. Purif. Technol. 282 (2022) 120130.
[14] X.H. Li, Q. Ye, Y.G. Xu, L.J. Chen, J.L. Li, Analysis and performance enhancement of heat pump technology assisted pressure-swing distillation process in the separation of azeotropic mixtures, Chem. Eng. Process. Process Intensif. 178 (2022) 109037.
[15] F.K. Zhang, D.F. Sun, Y.N. Li, B.M. Shan, Y.X. Ma, Y.L. Wang, X. Li, Z.Y. Zhu, Heat integration and dynamic control for separating the ternary azeotrope of butanone/isopropanol/n-heptane via pressure-swing distillation, Chem. Eng. Process. Process Intensif. 170 (2022) 108657.
[16] Y.R. Zhang, T.W. Wu, I.L. Chien, Energy-efficient heterogeneous azeotropic distillation coupling with pressure swing distillation for the separation of IPA/DIPE/Water mixture, J. Taiwan Inst. Chem. Eng. 130 (2022) 103843.
[17] J.M. Douglas, Conceptual Design of Chemical Processes, McGraw Hill, New York, 1988.
[18] C. Wang, Y. Zhuang, L.L. Liu, L. Zhang, J. Du, Heat pump assisted extractive distillation sequences with intermediate-boiling entrainer, Appl. Therm. Eng. 186 (2021) 116511.
[19] Y. Cui, X.J. Shi, C. Guang, Z.S. Zhang, C. Wang, C. Wang, Comparison of pressure-swing distillation and heterogeneous azeotropic distillation for recovering benzene and isopropanol from wastewater, Process Saf. Environ. Prot. 122 (2019) 1-12.
[20] X. Jian, J.L. Li, Q. Ye, L.Q. Yan, X.H. Li, J.Y. Zhang, Process synthesis of intensified extractive distillation for recycling organics material from wastewater, Sep. Purif. Technol. 303 (2022) 122172.
[21] G.Z. Li, P. Bai, New operation strategy for separation of ethanol-water by extractive distillation, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 51 (6) (2012) 2723-2729.
[22] Q. Wang, J.Y. Chen, M. Pan, C. He, C.C. He, B.J. Zhang, Q.L. Chen, A new sulfolane aromatic extractive distillation process and optimization for better energy utilization, Chem. Eng. Process. Process Intensif. 128 (2018) 80-95.
[23] A. Yang, Z.Y. Kong, J. Sunarso, W.F. Shen, Towards energy saving and carbon reduction of pressure-swing distillation for separating the ternary azeotropic mixtures by thermodynamic insights and process intensification, Sep. Purif. Technol. 301 (2022) 121983.
[24] X.Q. You, T.J. Ma, T. Qiu, Design and optimization of sustainable pressure swing distillation for minimum-boiling azeotrope separation, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 58 (47) (2019) 21659-21670.
[25] X.M. Qiu, M.J. Zhou, Z.Y. Zhu, J.G. Qi, Y.L. Wang, J.W. Yang, Comparative study on organic solvents and green solvents in separation of aromatic hydrocarbons/low-carbon alcohols azeotrope by structure-activity relationship, Sep. Purif. Technol. 297 (2022) 121498.
[26] F.S. Liu, Y. Hua, H. Wu, C.F. Lee, Z.M. Wang, Experimental and kinetic investigation on soot formation of n-butanol-gasoline blends in laminar coflow diffusion flames, Fuel 213 (2018) 195-205.
[27] T.S. Kumar, B. Ashok, Critical review on combustion phenomena of low carbon alcohols in SI engine with its challenges and future directions, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 152 (2021) 111702.
[28] M.J. Zhou, K.X. Yin, D.C. Fan, K. Xue, J.X. Ruan, R.Y. Hu, Y.L. Wang, J.W. Yang, Phase behavior and internal micro mechanism of separation of extracting low-carbon alcohols fuel additive with green solvents, Fuel 366 (2024) 131413.
[29] P.Z. Cui, X.Y. Liu, F. Zhao, Z.Y. Zhu, L. Wang, Y.L. Wang, Molecular mechanism, thermoeconomic, and environmental impact for separation of isopropanol and water using the choline-based DESs as extractants, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 59 (36) (2020) 16077-16087.
[30] Q.S. Li, N. Hu, S.P. Zhang, Q.P. Wu, J. Qi, Energy-saving heat integrated extraction-azeotropic distillation for separating isobutanol-ethanol-water, Sep. Purif. Technol. 255 (2021) 117695.

Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study

Optimization of methanol–vinyl acetate azeotrope separation process based on the pressure swing distillation and energy saving study

PDF (PC)

可视化

摘要/Abstract

引用本文

使用本文

参考文献

相关文章 0

编辑推荐

Metrics

本文评价