Exergy and energy analysis of Organic Rankine Cycle integration in the carbon black industry using pinch technology

Abstract

Industrial Carbon black production is a petrochemical process that has high level of waste heat and emissions. Main points of CB process include furnace and stack lines. Also, the use of different feedstocks can be effective in level of waste heat and amount of emission pollutants. So the main objective of this research use from the pinch technology in CB process in order to minimize the level of waste heat by utilization of waste heat recovery (WHR) applications for power generation. By numerical investigation and modelling of WHR in furnace and stack points, can be defined best location for power generation in CB process. Moreover, through the analysis of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems integrated with WHR from both energy and exergy perspectives, second target to enhance their thermal efficiency. The results indicate that the presence of blowers on stacks leads to an increase in RoHR and RoHC. In order to determine the optimal location for power generation cycle installation, an ORC energy and exergy analysis was conducted. The results showed that the energy and exergy values at the SLC stack were higher than those at the HLC point. Also, numerical results showed the points that have suitable thermal efficiency and rate of exergy of WHR where have higher temperature gradient than other points. So SLC (ĖxWHR=166.7kW) and HLC (ĖxWHR=136.1kW) stacks integrated with blower are the optimal location for WHR utilization in the CB production process.