Simulation and Optimization of Extractive Distillation for Toluene-N-heptane Azeotrope System

Simulation and optimization for extractive distillation was executed with toluene-N-heptane azeotrope system and phenol as the extractant by Aspen Plus software in this paper. The effects of major design parameters,such as feeding position,solvent feeding position,reflux ratio,mole ratio of extractant and feed( solvent ratio) on the extractive distillation was investigated and the optimal separation conditions were achieved. The results of optimization will provide a theory basis and design reference for the industrial design for extractive distillation process of toluene-N-heptane azeotrope system.