Turbinostil

Turbinostil is a term used in discussions of integrated energy systems to describe a device that couples a turbine to a still or distillation column. The concept aims to recover part of the energy contained in high-temperature vapors produced during distillation and to convert it into mechanical power or electricity, potentially reducing external energy input for the process.

In typical configurations, vapor from the reboiler or from a vapor stream drives a turbine connected to a generator or pump. Downstream, the condensed liquid returns to the column, while the turbine's shaft power can be used to power reboilers, feed pumps, or be exported as electricity; the arrangement can be single-stage or multi-effect with heat integration.

Key design considerations include turbine materials compatible with corrosive vapors, heat integration to minimize duty, control strategies to maintain separation performance while extracting energy, and safety concerns from pressurized steam. Advantages include potential reductions in steam consumption and improved energy efficiency; limitations include added mechanical complexity, capital cost, and the need for precise control.

Status: It remains largely at the research and demonstration stage, with several lab-scale experiments validating basic feasibility. No widely adopted commercial implementation is reported, though it is referenced in energy-integration studies as a potential option for energy-intensive distillation operations.

See also: energy recovery device, combined heat and power, turbine-still concept, process intensification.