Optimisation of sharp distillation column configurations: A database supported package, PROMAX

The problem of synthesizing an optimal multicomponent separation flowsheet according to capital and operating expenses is solved by a branch and bound (B&B) method. The algorithm can fmd the optimal sequence and all the sequences whose costs are within a specified factor of the cost of the optimal sequence. The specifications of the distillation columns are computed using a short-cut method, and the capital and operating expenses are calculated by the Guthrie method.