Process System Engineering (PSE) Analysis on Process and Optimization of the Isomerization Process

Abstract

Oil refineries are facing an ever-strict restriction in terms of fuel specification in view of the several policies by the environmental impact agency (EIA). Strict rules have been enforced on the gasoline product specification. Isomerization is one of the key processes for increasing the octane number of gasoline. Hence a case study has been performed using the concept of hydrogen once-through technology to analyze the process constraints for optimal operation of the process using Aspen HYSYS. In addition to this, a rigorous process model of isomerate stabilizer was also used to compare the results of the stabilizer model and optimize those various variables affecting the octane number of gasoline. The model was validated by observing the effects of constraints on the efficiency of the process by comparing it with the operational isomerization unit to further verify the authenticity of the case study. Furthermore, a calculator has been generated for the reactor temperature with respect to high benzene contents in the feedstock (benzene in feed Vs reactors ΔT).