Proven in Practice: GT-DWC Dividing Wall Columns Around the World

Introduction

Sulzer’s GT-DWC (Dividing Wall Column) technology is reshaping distillation operations across refineries and petrochemical facilities globally. By integrating advanced column design with expert engineering, GT-DWC achieves consistent gains in energy savings, project cost saving, capacity, product purity, and overall operational efficiency.

Real-World Success Stories

• Major Petrochemical Plant Upgrade

  • A leading petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia worked with Sulzer to improve main product capacity using GT-DWC. Despite the column operating near optimal conditions, Sulzer’s revamp increased capacity by 10% and reduced product loss by over 70%. The project was completed during a short plant turnaround and delivered measurable improvements with energy-efficient internals and minimal disruption.

    
    

• Capacity Boosts in Existing Columns

  • Another installation achieved a 30% plant capacity increase with only a moderate uptick in energy use, thanks to a tailored process study and internals optimization. This highlights GT-DWC®’s value in maximizing output without costly plant expansions or excessive energy demand.

    
    

• Flexible Deployments

  • Sulzer has installed numerous DWCs in vacuum and atmosphericvarious services, across applications ranging from BTX aromatics recovery to LPG and naphtha splitting. The technology demonstrates adaptability to new builds, revamps, and debottleneck projects, allowing operators to replace two or more aging towers with a single efficient column.

    
    

What Operators are Reporting

• Substantial Energy and Cost Savings

  • Typical projects report 20–30% lower energy costs as well as 20-30% reduction in capital investment versus traditional two- or three-column setups.

• Smaller Footprint and Maintenance

  • Operators praise robust process control, consistent high product qualities, easy maintenance, and the technology’s ability to free up valuable plot space.

• Fast ROI and Consistency

  • Plants worldwide benefit from rapid returns on investment, smooth operational start-ups, and stable long-term performance.

Application	Key Results & Benefits
Refinery Upgrades	Lower energy and operating costs, single-column solution, rapid ROI
Petrochemicals	High-purity recovery, enhanced yield, minimized utility spending
BTX/Aromatics Plants	Sharper separation, improved margins, greater feed flexibility
Specialty Chemicals	Reliable heart-cut production, compliance with strict quality specs

Deployment Worldwide

• Global Reach

  • Sulzer’s GT-DWC® has seen broad adoption, with installations operating in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The technology covers a wide pressure and feedstock range, making it a leading choice for heart-cut separations and energy-conscious operations.

    
    

• Hundreds of Units

  • Industry data suggest there are over 250 dividing wall columns operating globally, with dozens of top-notch modern design specifically supplied or revamped by Sulzer.

    
    

Why GT-DWC Stands Out

• End-to-End Expertise: Sulzer provides comprehensive services from feasibility study to design, supply of internals, and full installation support ensuring seamless integration and performance.

• Operator Feedback: Users cite ease of adapting, process flexibility, and consistent product quality as major advantages.

• Sustainability Gains: Beyond profits, GT-DWC® enables operators to reduce emissions, minimize waste, and better meet global sustainability and compliance targets.

  
  

Sulzer’s GT-DWC dividing wall column is not just an engineering solution, It is a proven, real-world value driver, delivering measured benefits across diverse plants and applications worldwide.