Experimental Measurement of the Saddle Node Region in a Distillation Column Profile Map by Using a Batch Apparatus

The CPM of this system was experimentally evaluated to verify that a saddle point node does indeed occur inside the mass balance triangle. The experimental technique uses a semi-batch apparatus and measures the boiling liquid concentration in the still as a function of time (Modise et al., 2005). The importance of this is that concentration profiles achieved in the semi-batch still are essentially the same as those of a continuous distillation column section. The experimental measurements showed that there is indeed a saddle point in the CPM.