Effect of Energy Integration on the Applicability of Extractive Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation

Extractive Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation (EHAD) is a highly efficient method for separating strongly non-ideal mixtures that exhibit azeotropy. EHAD employs an autoentrainer, typically water, which enables the separation of both ternary and quaternary azeotropic systems. A distinctive feature of EHAD is the relatively small temperature difference between the top and bottom of the distillation column. This unique thermal profile not only simplifies column operation but also creates opportunities for efficient energy integration strategies. This work investigates the impact of energy integration on the applicability and performance of EHAD. Specifically, the study evaluates process intensification through heat integration and heat pump coupling to reduce the overall energy demand of the process. Simulation results demonstrate that, with proper integration, the energy requirement of EHAD can be lowered to 30–40% of that of non-integrated operation. Furthermore, experimental measurements are used to validate the accuracy of the models, confirming the robustness of the proposed approach. The results highlight the capability of EHAD to achieve energy efficient separation of complex azeotropic mixtures. By combining separation principles with sustainable energy utilization, EHAD demonstrates strong potential for industrial applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.