This paper considers the implementation of a Kaibel column, (i.e. a fully-thermally coupled column with an adiabatic wall dividing the column into two equal halves for the production of four product streams). The Kaibel Column allows for a feed mixture of four or more components from which it produces a distillate, bottoms and two product side streams. Compared to the conventional 3 column direct split sequence, the Kaibel column can be built in a single shell, making it an attractive alternative in terms of capital cost savings along with its counterpart; the Petlyuk Column. Further, the reduction in the number of reboilers and condensers' required leads to improved operating costs.

In this paper we demonstrate the use of column profile maps (CPMs) for the comprehensive analysis and design of Kaibel columns by applying the CPM technique for a system at sharp-split conditions.

From the results of the topological analysis, it is shown that, for set product composition specifications, when using an ideal system (constant relative volatilities), there is only one set of feasible operating parameters. Future work will extend the assessment of the validity of this result to other zeotropic and azeotropic separation systems as well as the effect of the thermodynamic model.