In this paper, we want to show how we can gain more from a Kaibel distillation column by considering a degree of freedom which is normally not used. Two methods are used to study the effect of vapour split manipulation, namely a shortcut method and rigorous simulations. Using a case-study, we show that we may not be able to operate close to minimum energy requirement for some feed disturbances as we have the vapour split fixed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.