Distillation: From Theory to Process Simulation
This course combines chemical engineering theory, process engineering principles, and process simulation using Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, and DWSIM, providing a practical approach to tray distillation and chemical process engineering.
Build a solid understanding of tray distillation, explore the principles behind separation processes, and apply your knowledge using three industry-relevant process simulation tools.
The course includes:
Distillation Fundamentals: Understand vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE), McCabe–Thiele diagrams, operating lines, feed lines, and feed thermal conditions.
Aspen Plus Simulation: Apply distillation concepts to process simulation using Aspen Plus.
Aspen HYSYS Simulation: Model and analyze distillation processes using Aspen HYSYS.
DWSIM Simulation: Explore distillation process simulation using the open-source simulator DWSIM.
Whether you are a student or a practicing engineer, this course will help you connect theory with real-world chemical and process engineering applications.
Please note that this course focuses on tray distillation.
This course combines chemical engineering fundamentals, tray distillation theory, graphical analysis, and process simulation in a structured learning experience.
The course begins with the fundamental principles of distillation and progressively advances to process simulation using software tools.
You will study vapor-liquid equilibrium, component volatility, material balances, and the theoretical foundations of tray distillation. You will also explore the McCabe-Thiele method, a graphical approach used to understand and analyze the separation achieved in a distillation column.
Building on this theoretical foundation, you will move into process simulation using three widely used process simulators: Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, and DWSIM.
What You Will Learn
Understand the fundamentals of distillation and vapor-liquid equilibrium.
Explain how tray distillation columns separate components based on differences in volatility.
Understand the behavior of liquid and vapor phases inside a distillation column.
Apply material balances and equilibrium relationships to distillation problems.
Understand the McCabe-Thiele graphical method for analyzing multistage distillation.
Analyze operating lines, feed conditions, reflux ratio, and the number of theoretical stages.
Understand the influence of feed conditions on distillation column operation.
Apply chemical engineering and process engineering fundamentals to practical distillation problems.
Develop and analyze distillation simulations using Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, and DWSIM.
By connecting theoretical concepts with simulation results, you will develop a better understanding of how distillation columns are modeled and how engineering principles are applied to process design and analysis.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to move from process specifications and thermodynamic analysis to distillation column simulation, performance evaluation, and a better understanding of real-world distillation systems.
This course focuses on industrial distillation processes. Laboratory-scale distillation is outside the scope of this course.