Abstract
This paper demonstrates a three-dimensional graphical representation of energy losses in a distillation column by applying an Energy-Utilization Diagram (EUD). The concepts of both premixing model and individual energy level are applied to classify the energy loss in a column into six kinds; losses due to heating, and mixing in liquid phase, losses due to cooling and mixing in vapor phase, and losses due to evaporation of light components and condensation of heavy components through phase changes. The diagram displays transformed energy, its energy level, and unit height of the column in three-dimensional space. This diagram is useful for qualifying and quantifying the energy loss in a distillation column, and the target to minimize the energy and exergy consumption can be identified. The characteristics of close-to-equilibrium points (CEP) are also demonstrated.
