ABSTRACT
The separation power in a distillation column is associated with the height of the column and the energy consumed to achieve the desired separation and purification of products. In other words, the key impurity separation power is indicated by the reduction of heavy key impurity from the distillate and the reduction of light key impurity from the bottoms. If the separation power base is set by the ratio of boilup/feed, then either the reflux or the distillate flow rate can be manipulated to control the distillate/feed material balance split. If the separation power base is set by the ratio of reflux/feed, then the steam, that is, boilup, flow rate can be manipulated to control the distillate/feed material balance split. The separation power for a distillation column is associated with the energy consumption, that is, steam and cooling water per pound of feed.
