Simulation Study of Citronellol-geraniol Rectification Tower Based on Aspen Plus Software

Yunnan Open University, Yunnan Vocational & Technical College of National Defense Industry  

Abstract

Aspen Plus is a large-scale chemical simulation software based on steady-state chemical simulation, optimization, sensitivity analysis and economic evaluation. It can analyze the planning, research, development and technical reliability of chemical processes. High-purity citronellol and geraniol, the main high-value components of citronella oil, make the rectification and purification process difficult due to their boiling point and heat sensitivity, with high separation cost and poor effect, resulting in low economic benefits. This paper uses Aspen Plus software to estimate the physical properties of citronellol and geraniol system through known structural formula and room temperature boiling point; uses citronellol-geraniol vapor-liquid equilibrium experimental data to select physical properties analytical methods of Aspen Plus software; conducts process design and simulation of the high vacuum separation of citronellol and geraniol by using DSTWU simple simulation tower and RadFrac strict simulation tower respectively, gets the process parameters of citronellol and geraniol distillation tower, checks the separation process, and optimizes the separation conditions, which provide support for using industrial production in the high-purity separation of citronella oil system.