Prediction of New Distillation-Membrane Separation Integrated Process with Potential in Industrial Application

In this paper, a new integrated distillation-membrane separation process solution strategy based on genetic programming (GP) was established for azeotrope separation. Then, a price evaluation method based on the theory of unit membrane area was proposed. This method makes the membranes, which are still in the experimental stage, have no actual industrial cost, as a reference can also be used in this experimental study. For different characteristics and separation requirements of various azeotropic systems, the solution strategy can be matched with difference pervaporation membranes, and the optimal distillation-membrane separation integrated process can be solved quickly and accurately. Taking methanol-toluene as an example, the separation operation was optimized by using the algorithm. The effects of different feed flows and compositions on the modification of the chitosan membrane were discussed. These results provide a reliable basis for the prospects for development and modification direction of membrane materials which are still in the experimental research stage.