Simulation of spirits distillation for a better understanding of volatile aroma compounds behavior: Application to Armagnac production

After validation of the nominal point, the influence of some operating parameters was investigated. According to simulation, three parameters, namely, tails extractions, ethanol concentration in distillate and distillate temperature, have a real impact on Spirit composition. They permit a preferential reduction of intermediary and heavy species with respect to ethanol. Comparison with experimental and literature data confirms that simulation is a powerful and reliable approach to analyze the synergy between process operation, its performance and Spirit composition.