Synthesis of distillation trains with heat integration by a combined fuzzy and graphical approach

After passing some results of fuzzy synthesis of heat exchanger networks in review the application of this approach to the synthesis of distillation trains for the separation of multicomponent mixtures is demonstrated. The available heuristic rules are transformed into fuzzy implications dependent on different criteria and that competing rule, which is to be applied, is selected by the fuzzy algorithm.The theoretically possible amount of heat recovery within the networks generated in this way is estimated by a graphical method and included in the final cost evaluation. Regarding operating parameters like column pressure and reflux ratio, according to the mathematical effort at least qualitative statements can be made in result of the estimation of possible heat recovery.As already in the case of heat exchanger networks a following learning algorithm can serve to overcome the disadvantages of this sequential approach, representing at the same time the first step of a further evolutionary improvement of the initial distillation train.