Dynamics and control during startup of heat integrated distillation column

To advocate the usage of process integration in industrial practice, it is important to be able to guarantee not only robust control during near stead y state operation, but also to provide procedures for generating fast and r eliable startup sequences. This contribution concentrates on describing a s ystematic procedure for development of plant startup sequences. The basis f or the startup procedure development is available qualitative process knowl edge. Application of the startup sequence generation procedure is demonstra ted upon a heat integrated distillation plant. This plant illustrates some of the inherent effects of process integration upon a startup procedure. In particular, the effect of energy recycle upon the possible startup sequenc es and the effect of using an actuator for control purposes, i.e. the heat pump, which in itself requires significant startup time. The experimental a pplication of two generated startup sequences illustrates that safe and rel iable startups are ensured. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.