Analysis and comparison of distillation column models considering constant and variable relative volatility

In this paper, an analysis of the effect of constant or variable relative volatility in a nonlinear model of a binary batch distillation column is presented. The analyzed models are obtained from the balance of the light component and the molar flows, using a state-space representation. The models are simulated in MATLAB, with real parameters of a process in a distillation pilot plant, in order to validate and compare their performance, and demonstrate advantages and disadvantages of the proposed models.