PHASE-EQUILIBRIUM DOMINANT PARAMETER MATRIX OF MULTICOMPONENT DISTILLATION TRAINS

A systematic tuning procedure of thermodynamic models, for realistic s imulation of multicomponent distillation trains, is presented. The pro cedure allows a straightforward identification of dominant model param eters and tuning conditions. It is demonstrated that the sequential na ture of the distillation train splits, generates a unique matrix of do minant parameters for the multicomponent separation process. The metho dology is illustrated by tuning an equation of state to the fractionat ing section of a large ethane based ethylene plant. The tuned simulato r predictions are compared with industrial test data.