Dynamic process simulations and control of a lignite/waste to Fischer Tropsch liquids plant

Abstract

This study comprises the dynamic process simulations of a HTW gasification plant for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) liquids production under transient feedstock of lignite and solid recovered fuel (SRF) as well as load variations. Main objective of the current study is the proof of concept in unsteady conditions and the effective plant wide control of a novel gasification-driven liquid fuels production pathway. Therefore, the dynamic analysis of all sub-units in an integrated simulation scheme by means of Aspen Plus Dynamics (APD) and MATLAB/Simulink interference is attempted. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the impact of system disturbances on every process stage and apply the required control strategies to ensure system stability. Another aspect addressed within this work is the alternative management of solid materials in APD environment, which is an inherent drawback of this otherwise appropriate software as mentioned in previous studies. The performed dynamic simulations revealed that the proposed value chain seems to have a respectable potential in terms of operational flexibility and performance stability, always in relation to the gasification-based chemical plants and the constraints that accompany them.