GT-DWC™: flexible deployment for greenfield, retrofit, and expansion projects
Updated: Oct 1
Introduction
Every production site has its own challenges. Whether you’re designing a new plant, upgrading aging assets, pushing for higher efficiency and lower operating cost, or aiming to increase throughput, Sulzer’s GT-DWC™ (Dividing Wall Column) technology offers unmatched flexibility for integration. Harnessing advanced distillation in a single tower, GT-DWC® streamlines both new installations and revamp upgrades cutting costs, saving energy, and elevating product quality for refineries and chemical plants.
Deployment options
1. Greenfield (new build) projects
Slashed investment: instead of multiple columns and auxiliary equipment, GT-DWC™ provide the same separation quality with a single column, single set of auxiliary equipment, less piping and materials, less installation cost, and smaller plot area
Full Customization: GT-DWC™ can be integrated into new plants, providing best-in-class20-30% energy savings comparing to two-column system, giving the unit much quicker project return, compact footprint, and minimized capital investment right from startup.
Enables Modern Sustainability Targets: incorporates latest process intensification and heat integration standards.
2. Retrofit of existing columns
Replace Two or More Towers: GT-DWC™ enables replacement of dual or triple-column trains with a single, integrated unit significantly reducing equipment count and simplifying piping, instrumentation, and maintenance.
Improve heart-cut quality: normal distillation column with side-draw can be revamped to GT-DWC™ to significantly improve the middle heart-cut quality, minimizing contamination from top & bottom cuts.
Minimized Downtime and Modifications: retrofit projects are engineered for speed and minimal alterations to infrastructure, keeping outages short and costs low.
Proven Track Record: plants worldwide have successfully revamped existing separation units using GT-DWC™, resulting in immediate energy and operational savings.
3. Expansion and debottlenecking
Increase Capacity Efficiently: GT-DWC™ can be adopted to increase plant throughput or upgrade product purity without requiring major new civil works.
Scalable Solution: the compact footprint and modular design of GT-DWC™ make expansion straightforward, even in space-constrained sites.
Versatility across applications
Handles a wide range of feeds, from naphtha, isomers, BTX aromatics, to various hydrocarbon streams.
Performs both heart-cutting and multi-component separations with superior sharpness and yield compared to conventional columns.
Quick adaptation to shifting process demands makes it ideal for dynamic operations or fluctuating market needs.
Key advantages at a glance
Deployment Type | GT-DWC™ Benefit |
Greenfield | Lowest investment, energy savings, minimal plot area, optimal process design |
Retrofit | Fast integration, immediate operating cost and CO2 reductions |
Expansion | Debottlenecking without major construction |
Why choose GT-DWC™ for modern projects?
Significant Capital & Operating Savings: eliminate the need for extra columns and utilities, drastically reducing total investment and long-term expenses.
Short Payback: real-world deployments demonstrate rapid ROI, especially where product quality upgrades, throughput boosts, or efficiency gains are required.
Engineering Support: Sulzer’s comprehensive service includes simulation, process design, and project management, ensuring a custom, risk-free deployment.
