Review on Core Operation Strategies and Frontier Technologies of Multicomponent Batch Distillation

Abstract

Multicomponent batch distillation, as a core unit operation for the separation of small-batch, multi-variety, high-purity materials, holds an irreplaceable position in the production of fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, and specialty solvents. However, the issues of low efficiency and high energy consumption caused by dynamic operation have remained unresolved for a long time. This paper comprehensively reviews recent research progress in operational process innovation, heat integration strategies, and intelligent control technologies. At the operational level, structures such as dual-column pressure-swing, dividing wall batch distillation columns, cyclic total reflux, and intermediate vessel/side-stream withdrawal have effectively improved the separation efficiency for azeotropic systems and multicomponent mixtures. At the heat integration level, strategies including heat pump assistance, internal heat integration, and gradual feeding can achieve energy savings of 20%–60%. At the intelligent control level, methods such as model predictive control (MPC), neural networks, and reinforcement learning demonstrate potential in addressing nonlinearity and uncertainty. Nevertheless, industrial implementation still faces bottlenecks including high costs, data scarcity, and decoupling difficulties. Looking forward, efforts should focus on developing lightweight AI algorithms, promoting control process co optimization, advancing heat integration technologies, and constructing cloud based digital twin operation and maintenance systems, so as to drive the transition of batch distillation towards green, intelligent, and efficient operations.

Keywords: Multicomponent batch distillation, Operational strategies, Parameter coordination, Intelligent control

DOI: 10.7176/CPER/67-03

Publication date: May 30th 2026