Dephlegmators can be used to reduce the energy consumption and simplify the layout of the mixed-refrigerant Joule–Thomson (MRJT) cycle. Heat-exchange characteristics and refrigeration design are currently based on highly simplified assumptions. Synthesis methods to efficiently solve all design issues of dephlegmators in MRJT cycle are insufficient. No suitable separation module is available for the simultaneous heat and mass transfer processes in Aspen Plus because the module should be programmed and incorporated into Aspen Plus as a user-defined unit. In this paper, a systematic steady-state method was proposed for the detailed design of dephlegmators for gas mixture separation, considering the simulation and heat exchanger design simultaneously. The material balance, vapor–liquid equilibrium, mole fraction summation and heat balance (MESH) model was programmed in FORTRAN language. Good agreements and the feasibility of the MESH model were found. Deviations between the simulation results and patent data were all within 5%. The errors in the predicted temperatures of vapor and liquid products were less than 2% and 10%, respectively. Fine applicability and low energy consumption of the dephlegmator were addressed. The mole fraction of
Applied Thermal Engineering
Available online 4 June 2016
NEWS