Olefin Mixture Direct Sequence Energy Retrofitting: Feed Compositions Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this research is to retrofit the Olefin Mixture (OM) direct sequence and to analyze the sensitivity with respect to the feed composition. In order to perform the study and analysis, a methodology for retrofitting the direct sequence and analyzing the sensitivity with respect to the feed composition was developed. In Stage 1, a short-cut distillation column design method of process simulator (Aspen HYSYS) is used to simulate the direct sequence. The energy used to separate individual component in the base sequence is analyzed and taken as a reference. In Stage 2, an optimal OM sequence is determined using driving force method. All individual driving force curves for all adjacent components are plotted and the optimal sequence is determined based on the plotted driving force curves. Once the optimal OM sequence has been determined, the new optimal sequence is then simulated in stage 3 using short-cut distillation column design method (using Aspen HYSYS), where the energy used in the optimal OM sequence is analyzed. Finally, the energy used in the optimal OM sequence is compared with the direct, direct-indirect and random sequence in Stage 4. The gains of each sequence are then calculated using the energy as the basis for the sensitivity analysis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that it is possible to retrofit the direct sequence using the driving force method for better improvement in terms of energy consumptions and sensitivity.