Modelling versions and simulations of the cryogenic air distillation column

Abstract

Distillation columns are the main operation units in cryogenic air separation plants that supply purified gasses to a number of industries, one of them being the ammonia synthesis process. The need of an efficient control for the distillation process emerged due to high operating costs: great amount of energy consumption. A proper mathematical model of the column can be used to understand the behavior of the column, predict future reaction and most important to develop a control structure. This paper reviews the conventional models for distillation columns and presents a non-conventional model of the cryogenic air distillation column. Some possible simulation schemes are also presented for column behavior evaluation.