Multivessel batch distillation

The multivessel batch column consists of a reboiler, several column sections, intermediate vessels and a condenser vessel. This configuration provides a generalization of previously proposed batch-distillation schemes, including the inverted column and the middle-vessel column. The total reflux operation of the multivessel batch-distillation column was presented recently, and the main contribution of this article is to propose a simple feedback control strategy for its operation. We propose to adjust the vessel holdups indirectly by manipulating the reflux flow out of each vessel to control the temperature at some location in the column section below. The feasibility of this strategy is demonstrated by simulations.