Synthesis and design methods for energy-efficient distillation processes

In order to achieve net-zero emissions until 2050, it is of utmost importance to improve the energy efficiency and thereby reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industry. As distillation processes are accounting for the majority of all fluid separations, they are an important target for potential improvements. Although other separation technologies might be a favorable alternative, distillation is not generally an energy-intensive technology and advanced distillation process concepts, exploiting heat pumps, thermal coupling, as well as solvent- and membrane-assisted hybrid processes, may enable significant improvements regarding energy efficiency. The current article summarizes recent developments regarding the synthesis and design of energy-efficient distillation processes and points out future needs and directions for developments to foster the systematic evaluation and application of these advanced distillation process concepts.