The method allows designing diabatic columns currently not available in the default model libraries of commercial process simulators.

Classical and irreversible thermodynamics are employed to quantify and to discriminate different inefficiency sources.

Reversible distillation trajectories are used as benchmark to identify inefficient zones in the distillation column.

The method allows calculating the maximum thermodynamic efficiencies achievable by diabatic and adiabatic columns.

The optimization strategy is useful to compare optimal designs of diabatic and adiabatic columns performing the same separation task.