A design strategy for enhanced process integration of separation syste
ms considering heat pumping is scrutinised in order to significantly c
ontribute to the rational use of energy. The suggested methodology for
synthesising energy efficient distillation processes is tested for va
rious separation tasks (e.g. light hydrocarbons, acetic acid recovery)
by scrutinising different types of heat pump structures (vapour recom
pression, bottom flash, closed cycle mechanical heat pumps, absorption
cycles). After illustrating the design strategy for enhanced process
integration by some typical nearly ideal and strongly non-ideal separa
tion case studies a comparative analysis of different heat pump assist
ed separation systems are presented by EMAT (exchanger minimum approac
h temperature) dependent cost calculations, balanced exergy composite
curves, and exergy losses. The economic potential of heat integration
assisted by absorption & mechanical heat pump cycles is also elaborate
d to estimate the expected pay back time of any kind of heat pumped ma
tching.