Recent Advances in Internally Heat-Integrated Distillation Columns (HIDiC) for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Internally heat integrated distillation columns (HIDiCs) have attracted industrial attention since HIDiCs are expected to have a strong impact on energy savings in chemical industries. Particularly in Japan, large national research projects for HIDiCs have been conducted, and a HIDiC pilot plant has been constructed. The pilot HIDiC has shown energy savings of more than 60% compared to a conventional distillation column in the separation example of a twelve-component hydrocarbon mixture. In addition, several research projects on HIDiCs have been carried out also in Europe. In this paper, the overview and recent advances in HIDiC technologies of Japan and Europe are introduced.