DEFINITION OF DISTILLATION LINES IN THE SEPARATION OF MULTICOMPONENT MIXTURES

Definition of Distillation Lines in the Separation of Multicomponent M ixtures. In recent years ''distillation lines'' have been used for the assessment of the separation behaviour of multicomponent mixtures, wi th these distillation lines being defined differently by different aut hors. The theory of distillation of multicomponent mixtures shows that it is appropriate to distinguish between residue lines and rectificat ion lines. While the profile of residue lines is determined solely by the thermodynamic phase equilibrium, that of rectification lines also depends upon the mass transfer model used. By analogy with VDI Guideli ne 2761: ''Thermal Separation processes in Process Engineering'', it i s proposed that residue lines and rectification lines are designated b y the collective term distillation lines.