Control System Design for Four-product Dividing Wall Column

In this paper, controllability of a complex, multi partition dividing-wall column (DWC) configuration for four products is examined. Two control system configurations have been tested by simulation and their performance evaluated by introduction of controlled disturbances into the model. Results suggest that, in order to obtain required product quality, it is necessary to have very tight temperature and composition profile control, but also that this is achievable by using simple means of control, i.e., PID controllers.