Simulation and design of distillation units for treatment of sulphite pulping condensates to recover methanol and furfural. Part II: Applicability of multi-effect distillation using live steam

• A distillation unit has been designed for a capacity of 73 t/h of condensate and for at least 90% recovery of the contaminating organics. This unit consists of three columns: a primary stripper to remove volatile organics and two upgrading columns to purify the methanol and furfural byproducts. Three different energy-saving alternatives for satisfying the energy requirements have been studied: utilisation of secondary steam from the evaporation plant, and application of the principle of multi-effect distillation in one-stripper and in two-stripper configurations. Investment cost needed in all alternatives amounts to 5.5–6.0 MCr (millions of Swedish Crowns) while operating cost varies between 0.8–3.1 MCr. The first design alternative has a payoff period of 2.3 years while the two multi-effect distillation alternatives have a payoff period of about 3 years.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)