Optimization of ethylene process design

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the optimization of ethylene process design. The influence of components separation was treated with two different simulators using two different sequences of distillation columns. Considerable differences in reboiler and condenser heat flow rates resulted in economic analysis of particular sequences. The same sequence gave the lowest total annual costs in spite of the use of two different simulators compared to the second best option proposed for distillation columns sequence. Use of different models resulted in different heat-integrated structures and, therefore, different profits. Heat integration resulted in total annual cost reduction between 9% and 19%. The goal of the process design is to select the structure and parameters to give the minimum sum of the depreciation and operating cost. The general methodology that leads to the best scheme is called “process synthesis.” The thermodynamic method is used as a first step in the synthesis of ethylene production process case study.