Sara Pedram - Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic
Tahereh Kaghazchi - Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic),
Maryam Takht Ravanchi - National Petrochemical Company, Research and Technology Co., No. ۲۷, Sarv Alley, Shirazi South Street, Molla Sadra Ave., PO Box ۱۴۳۵۸-۸۴۷۱,Tehran, Iran

Light olefin and paraffin are commonly separated by cryogenic distillation which is extremely energy intensive. Membrane/distillation hybrid system is an economical alternative separation process in this regard. In this paper, augmenting a membrane module in existing distillation column is investigated. Different hybrid configurations named: top, bottom, front and parallel configuration system and its optimum parameters are included in the survey. Results show that the most beneficial configuration is parallel which will result up to 45% reduction in reflux ration and therefore about 50% energy saving

Hybrid process, membrane, distillation, separation, energy consumption