Operation strategies to minimize methanol recovery in batch distillation of hydroalcoholic mixtures

Abstract

This work focuses on applying dynamic simulationto explore operating conditions of a packed batchdistillation column for reducing the relative concentrationof methanol in the distillate. Based on trial-anderror,we studied different cooling rate trajectories ofthe partial condenser, which has a direct impact on thereflux and distillate rates. Simulations showed thathigher cooling rates and smaller cut times achievedlower relative concentrations of methanol in the distillate.Our study suggests that the best operating strategycannot reduce the relative methanol concentration in thedistillate more than 25% compared with the relativemethanol concentration in the wine.