A new unified model to simulate columns with multiple phase divisions and their impact on energy savings

•New method for simulation of distillation columns with any number of phase divisions.•Unified set of MESH equations for any distillation process with phase division.•Unified set of MESH equations for parastillation, metastillation and DWC.•Case study using para- and metastillation processes in alcoholic distillation.•Decreases of 15% in total annual costs of distillation processes.