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GP-CH-1CJTRKDChemicalReady

DWSIM distillation process simulation

A DWSIM 9.0.5 rigorous ethanol and water distillation study using NRTL, with reflux, stage-count, feed-stage, and feed-composition sensitivity cases.

DWSIM distillation process simulation project visual
GP-CH-1CJTRKD · Chemical
  • DWSIM 9.0.5
  • NRTL
  • .NET 8
  • Python
  • Jupyter
  • Matplotlib

Software compatibility

DWSIM 9.0.5 only

The native flowsheet, automation code, and reference results use the official DWSIM 9.0.5 Linux AMD64 release. Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD, and PRO/II files are not included.

Project definition

Problem statement

Ethanol and water form a non-ideal mixture. Rigorous column results depend on the thermodynamic model, reflux ratio, stage count, feed location, feed composition, specifications, and solver convergence.

Project objectives

  • Build a rigorous steady-state ethanol and water distillation flowsheet in DWSIM 9.0.5.
  • Use NRTL to represent non-ideal liquid-phase behaviour.
  • Verify total and ethanol material balances for the reference case.
  • Measure the effects of reflux ratio, stage count, feed stage, and feed composition.
  • Retain and explain non-converged cases instead of silently removing them.

Project structure

Project components

01

Thermodynamic model

Defines ethanol, water, NRTL, the feed state, pressure, and equilibrium-stage assumptions.

02

DWSIM flowsheet

Builds the feed, 20-stage column, total condenser, reboiler, two products, and duty streams.

03

Automation runner

Uses the official DWSIM 9.0.5 libraries to execute 20 configured cases and save the native reference flowsheet.

04

Sensitivity analysis

Compares seven reflux ratios, five stage counts, five feed locations, and four additional feed compositions.

05

Evidence and verification

Records products, duties, residuals, stage profiles, solver errors, plots, and seven automated tests.

Methodology

Project workflow

  1. 01
    Configure

    The JSON study file defines the reference column and every sensitivity case.

  2. 02
    Solve

    The pinned Docker image runs the official DWSIM 9.0.5 automation engine.

  3. 03
    Record

    Each case writes a raw JSON record, including full solver errors for failed cases.

  4. 04
    Analyse

    Python consolidates the cases into balance, duty, profile, convergence, and trade-off figures.

  5. 05
    Verify

    Seven tests check convergence evidence, balances, separation direction, duties, stage count, and the native flowsheet.

Demonstration scenario

A 100 mol/s, 50/50 molar ethanol and water feed enters stage 10 of a 20-stage column at reflux ratio 2.0. The study then changes reflux, stage count, feed location, and composition while preserving every result and solver failure.

Engineering

Tools and method

Tools
The project uses DWSIM 9.0.5, NRTL, .NET 8, Python, Jupyter, Matplotlib for subject analysis, simulation, and results.
Environment
Official DWSIM 9.0.5 Linux AMD64 package, .NET 8 automation runner, and a reproducible Docker image.
Thermodynamics
NRTL is used for the non-ideal ethanol and water liquid mixture at 101325 Pa.
Column model
A steady-state equilibrium-stage column uses a total condenser, reboiler, fixed bottoms flow, and selected reflux ratio.
Verification
Independent material-balance residuals, trend checks, retained failures, fixed case counts, and automated repository validation.

Testing

Evaluation

Evaluation measures

  • Seventeen converged cases out of 20 configured cases
  • Reference distillate ethanol mole fraction of 0.806920
  • Reference bottoms ethanol mole fraction of 0.397703
  • Reference condenser and reboiler duties of 2952.865 kW and 2985.783 kW
  • Reflux study from 0.5 to 5.0 showing the measured purity and energy trade-off
  • Three retained non-converged cases with exact DWSIM solver messages

Project boundaries

  • Only the pinned DWSIM 9.0.5 model and generated result files are delivered.
  • The model uses steady-state equilibrium stages and documented educational assumptions.
  • Hydraulics, tray or packing design, control, relief, mechanical design, hazards, economics, and plant operation are excluded.
  • The simulation is an engineering education project, not a plant design or operating instruction.

Included

  1. 01Native DWSIM 9.0.5 reference flowsheet
  2. 02Official DWSIM automation code for 20 configured cases
  3. 03Twenty raw case records and 340 stage records
  4. 04Material-balance, energy-duty, stage-profile, and sensitivity evidence
  5. 05Complete project files, models, calculations, and analysis material in a private GitHub repository
  6. 0680-page project documentation in PDF and editable Word formats
  7. 079-page setup and usage guide

Project record

No information is collected on this page.

Permanent project ID
GP-CH-1CJTRKD
Catalogued
22 Aug 2026
Completed
23 Aug 2026
Verified
23 Aug 2026
Demonstration
Included in repository

Handover

After purchase

  1. 01
    Payment is confirmed

    The project is marked unavailable and cannot be purchased again.

  2. 02
    Repository access is granted

    The buyer's submitted GitHub account receives access to the private repository.

  3. 03
    The purchase record is delivered

    The certification sheet is prepared from the reviewed buyer details and sent privately by email.