| Summary: | In this paper a complex methodology is tested and verified to select the most adequate energy integrated distillation structure for a specific separation task. Exergy, economic and environmental analyses are applied to select the most efficient rectification structures for separation of quaternary hydrocarbon mixtures. Distillation structures based on direct sequence and single column configurations are examined.
The ranking depends on the product purification prescription. The direct sequence backwards with heat integration performs best in all cases. This shows that heat integration of distillation columns is a beneficial from both exergetical, economical end environmental points of view in a wide product purity range, and it has a great potential of savings. The overheated vapour feed solution has less attractive properties, therefore it should be avoided if the separation technology allows it.
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