Skiborowski, MirkoMirkoSkiborowskiKruber, KaiKaiKruberWaltermann, ThomasThomasWaltermann2023-06-162023-06-162022Sustainable Separation Engineering: Materials, Techniques and Process Development : 431-481 (2022)978-1-119-74011-7978-1-119-74008-7http://hdl.handle.net/11420/15420Distillation is one of the oldest separation technologies and still the most widely applied fluid separation process in the chemical industry. The outstanding role of distillation columns builds on the fact that it is the only unit operation capable of high capacities and high purities for multiple product streams. The flexibility and robustness further favour the use of distillation columns, which are also considered as one of the most mature separation technologies. Yet, distillation is of limited use for processing thermally sensitive streams and it is assumed to be the most energy-intensive among all separation processes. Consequently, it is of major interest to improve or replace distillation processes, in order to reduce energy consumption and improve process sustainability. The current chapter provides an overview of the different means for improving the sustainability of individual distillation columns and distillation processes for multi-product separations, as well as close boiling and azeotropic mixtures.enChemieTechnische ChemieBook Part10.1002/9781119740117.ch12Book Chapter