Design, optimization and controllability of an alternative process based on extractive distillation for an ethane-carbon dioxide mixture

The proposed sequences were simultaneously Pareto optimized by minimizing the total annual cost (TAC) and maximizing the acid gas removal. Complementary studies regarding the theoretical control properties, the thermodynamic efficiency and the greenhouse gases generation were conducted for several representative operating conditions obtained from the Pareto optimized fronts. The proposed cryogenic extractive distillation sequences realized the higher carbon dioxide removal together with the lower TAC compared to the conventional chemical absorption system.