LAPSE:2026.0444
Published Article
LAPSE:2026.0444
Effect of the feed composition on the performance of a double-dividing wall distillation column
June 12, 2026
Abstract
In this work, the synthesis, design and optimization of a quaternary double dividing wall distillation column (QDDWC) is presented. The effect of the feed composition over the performance of this intensified configuration is studied. The synthesis and design of the QDDWC takes place using as basis a conventional direct sequence for the separation of a n-butane/n-pentane/n-hexane/n-heptane mixture. The column is tested for three molar feed compositions: 40/10/10/40, 25/25/25/25, and 10/40/40/10. The configurations are optimized through a multiobjective genetic algorithm to simultaneously minimize the total heat duty and the number of stages. According to the results, the proposed structure allows savings in heat duty up to 59% but requiring up to 28% more stages than the conventional sequences.
In this work, the synthesis, design and optimization of a quaternary double dividing wall distillation column (QDDWC) is presented. The effect of the feed composition over the performance of this intensified configuration is studied. The synthesis and design of the QDDWC takes place using as basis a conventional direct sequence for the separation of a n-butane/n-pentane/n-hexane/n-heptane mixture. The column is tested for three molar feed compositions: 40/10/10/40, 25/25/25/25, and 10/40/40/10. The configurations are optimized through a multiobjective genetic algorithm to simultaneously minimize the total heat duty and the number of stages. According to the results, the proposed structure allows savings in heat duty up to 59% but requiring up to 28% more stages than the conventional sequences.
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Keywords
dividing wall columns, metaheuristic optimization, quaternary mixture
Subject
Suggested Citation
Guzmán-Martínez CE, Romero-Izquierdo AG, Gutiérrez-Antonio C, Hernández S, Errico M, Gómez-Castro FI. Effect of the feed composition on the performance of a double-dividing wall distillation column. Systems and Control Transactions 5:1933-1942 (2026) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.113276
Author Affiliations
Guzmán-Martínez CE: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, Facultad de Ingeniería, Juriquilla, Querétaro, México [ORCID]
Romero-Izquierdo AG: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Amealco, Facultad de Ingeniería, Amealco de Bonfil, Querétaro, México [ORCID]
Gutiérrez-Antonio C: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, Facultad de Ingeniería, Juriquilla, Querétaro, México [ORCID]
Hernández S: Universidad de Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México [ORCID]
Errico M: University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Green Technology, Odense, Denmark. Università di Cagliari, Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Cagliari, Italy [ORCID]
Gómez-Castro FI: Universidad de Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México [ORCID]
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Romero-Izquierdo AG: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Amealco, Facultad de Ingeniería, Amealco de Bonfil, Querétaro, México [ORCID]
Gutiérrez-Antonio C: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, Facultad de Ingeniería, Juriquilla, Querétaro, México [ORCID]
Hernández S: Universidad de Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México [ORCID]
Errico M: University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Green Technology, Odense, Denmark. Università di Cagliari, Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Cagliari, Italy [ORCID]
Gómez-Castro FI: Universidad de Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México [ORCID]
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Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
5
First Page
1933
Last Page
1942
Year
2026
Publication Date
2026-06-12
Version Comments
Original Submission
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PII: 1933-1942-14-SCT-5-2026, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2026.0444
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.113276
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Jun 12, 2026
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References Cited
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- Errico M, Rong BG, Torres-Ortega CE, Segovia-Hernandez JG. The importance of the sequential synthesis methodology in the optimal distillation sequences design. Computers & Chemical Engineering 62:1-9 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2013.11.010
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