Kaibel column: Modeling, optimization, and conceptual design of multi-product dividing wall columns

•The optimization and conceptual design of a Kaibel column is achieved by implementing an NLP, an MINLP, and a GDP formulation into a proposed rigorous tray-by-tray Kaibel column model.•The results obtained with the proposed rigorous tray-by-tray model are very similar to the results obtained using a commercial software.•The MINLP formulation is effective to determine the optimal location of side streams on the internal trays of the Kaibel column.•The GDP formulation is effective to determine the minimum number of trays in a Kaibel column.•A reduction on the remixing effects is observed when using the optimal design parameters obtained with the MINLP and GDP formulations.