Abstract: Heat pump distillation is an energy-saving chemical separation process. Based on the actual industrial project of C₄ heat pump distillation, the characteristics and selection schemes of different heat pump compressors (centrifugal compressor, reciprocating compressor and screw compressor) are compared. The isentropic compression characteristics of typical gases with different molecular weights (propane, n-butane and n-pentane) are analyzed. It is pointed out that liquefaction risk exists in mixed C₄ during compression process. These provide reference for the selection of compressors for heat pump distillation.

Key words: heat pump distillation, compressor selection, screw compressor