scholarly journals Optimal Synthesis of Energy Efficient Distillation Columns Sequence Using Driving Force Method

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Ahmad Nafais Rahimi ◽  
Mohd. Faris Mustafa ◽  
Muhammad Zakwan Zaine ◽  
Norazana Ibrahim ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
...  

This paper presents the study of the optimal synthesis of energy efficient distillation columns (EEDCs) sequenceby using the driving force method. In order to perform the study and analysis, the EEDCs sequence methodologyhas been developed. Accordingly, the methodology consists of four hierarchical sequential steps; Step 1: ExistingSequence Energy Analysis, Step 2: Optimal Sequence Determination, Step 3: Optimal Sequence Energy Analysis,and Step 4: Energy Comparison. The capability of this methodology has been tested in designing minimumenergy distillation column sequence for hydrocarbon mixture separation process. The results show that themaximum of 39.6 % energy reduction was able to achieve by changing the sequence suggested by the drivingforce method. It can be concluded that, the sequence determined by the driving force method is able to reduceenergy requirement for hydrocarbon mixture separation process. All of this findings show that the methodologyis able to design minimum energy distillation column sequence for hydrocarbon mixture separation process in aneasy, practical and systematic manner.

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (3-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zakwan Zaine ◽  
Mohd. Faris Mustafa ◽  
Onn Hassan ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
Norazana Ibrahim ◽  
...  

Energy savings is a major challenge in distillation operations. However, there is still one problem, which is how do we improve the energy efficiency of the existing distillation column systems without major modifications. Recently, a new energy efficient distillation columns methodology that will be able to improve energy efficiency of the existing separation systems without having major modifications has been developed. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present a new improvement of the existing methodology by designing an optimal sequence of energy efficient distillation columns using a driving force method. Accordingly, the methodology is divided into four hierarchical sequential stages: i) existing sequence energy analysis, ii) optimal sequence determination, iii) optimal sequence energy analysis, and iv) energy comparison and economic analysis. The capability of this methodology is tested in designing an optimal synthesis of energy efficient distillation columns sequence of an aromatics separation unit. The existing aromatics separation unit consists of six compounds (Methylcyclopentane (MCP), Benzene, Methylcyclohexane (MCH), Toluene, m-Xylene and o-Xylene) with five direct sequence distillation columns being simulated using a simple and reliable short-cut method and rigorously tested within an Aspen HYSYS® simulation environment. The energy and economic analyses show that the optimal sequence determined by the driving force method has a better energy reduction with a total of 6.78% energy savings and a return of investment of 3.10 with a payback period of 4 months. It can be concluded that, the sequence determined by the driving force method is not only capable in reducing energy consumption, but also has a better economic cost for an aromatic separation unit


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (6-12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Nafais Rahimi ◽  
Mohd. Faris Mustafa ◽  
Muhammad Zakwan Zaine ◽  
Norazana Ibrahim ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
...  

The objective of this paper is to present the study and analysis of the energy saving improvement for the NGLs Direct-Splitter-Direct fractionation sequence plant by using driving force method. To perform the study and analysis, the energy efficient distillation columns (EEDCs) methodology is developed. Basically, the methodology consists of four hierarchical steps; Step 1: Existing Sequence Energy Analysis, Step 2: Optimal Sequence Determination, Step 3: Optimal Sequence Energy Analysis, and Step 4: Energy Comparison. The capability of this methodology is tested in designing an optimal energy efficient direct-splitter-direct sequence of NGLs fractionation unit. The results show that the maximum of 10.62 % energy reduction was able to achieve by changing the sequence suggested by the driving force method. It can be concluded that, the sequence determined by the driving force method is able to reduce energy used for a NGLs fractionation. All of this findings show that the methodology is able to design energy efficient for NGLs fractionation sequence in an easy, practical and systematic manner.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (6-12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zakwan Zaine ◽  
Mohd. Faris Mustafa ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
Norazana Ibrahim ◽  
Mohd. Kamaruddin Abd. Hamid

Distillation operations became a major concern within sustainability challenge, which it becomes a primary target of energy saving efforts in industrially developed countries. However, there is still one problem, which is how do we improve the energy efficiency of the existing distillation columns systems by considering the sustainability criteria without having major modifications. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present new improvement of existing methodology by including a sustainability analysis to design an optimal sequence of energy efficient distillation columns. Accordingly, the methodology is divided into four hierarchical sequential stages: i) existing sequence sustainability analysis, ii) optimal sequence determination, iii) optimal sequence sustainability analysis, and iv) sustainability comparison and design modification. The capability of this methodology is tested in designing an optimal sustainable energy efficient distillation columns sequence of aromatics separation unit using a simple and reliable short-cut method within Aspen HYSYS® simulation environment. The energy and sustainability analysis is performed and shows that the optimal sequence determined by the driving force method has better energy reduction with total of 6.78 % energy savings and 0.16 % sustainability reduction compared to existing sequence with. In addition, the economic analysis shows that the return of investment of 3.10 with payback period of 4 months. It can be concluded that, the sequence determined by the driving force method is not only capable in reducing energy consumption, but also has better sustainability index for aromatic separation unit.


2015 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 1569-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd. Faris Mustafa ◽  
Muhammad Zakwan Zaine ◽  
Norazana Ibrahim ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
Mohd. Kamaruddin Abd. Hamid

Author(s):  
Munawar Zaman Shahruddin ◽  
Mohamad Hamidi Asri ◽  
Rohani Mohd Zin ◽  
Ahmad Nafais Rahimi ◽  
Muhammad Afiq Zubir ◽  
...  

Distillation column is one of the effective unit operations that is commonly used to separate chemical mixtures. The only drawback of this separation process is its huge energy consumption especially for a multicomponent separation process which involves a series of distillation columns. Therefore, an optimal sequence must be determined to address the issue. This research proposes the methodology to determine the optimal sequence of distillation columns by using driving force method. Then, thermal pinch analysis is applied to obtain further energy saving in the process. The case study selected is a distillation process to recover 5-component of natural gas liquid (NGL) mixture. Based on the input data, the driving force sequence is determined first and simulated together with a conventional sequence (direct sequence). Then, the extracted data from the simulation will be used for thermal pinch analysis via problem table algorithm (PTA). From the results of PTA, energy consumption between both sequences were compared including the energy consumption before and after the thermal pinch analysis. In addition, economic analysis has been performed as well to indicate which sequence has lower capital and operating costs based on the proposed heat exchanger network (HEN). According to the results, the combination of the driving force and thermal pinch analysis methods has successfully recorded 48% of energy savings and operating cost, and 58.2% capital cost saving compared to the conventional sequence (direct sequence). Therefore, it can be said that the proposed framework has a great potential to be employed towards the process and economic feasible distillation process.


2006 ◽  
Vol 60 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Svetomir Milojevic ◽  
Dejan Skala

For distillation column design it is necessary to define all the variable parameters such as component concentrations in different streams temperatures, pressures, mass and energy flow, which are used to represent the separation process of some specific system. They are related to each other according to specific laws, and if the number of such parameters exceeds the number of their relationships, in order to solve a problem some of them must be specified in advance or some constraints assumed for the mass balance, the balance of energy, phase equilibria or chemical equilibria. Knowledge of specific elements which are the constituents of a distillation unit must be known to define the number of design parameters as well as some additional apparati also necessary to realize the distilation. Each separate apparatus might be designed and constructed only if all the necessary and variable parameters for such a unit are defined. This is the right route to solve a distilation unit in many different cases. The construction of some distillation unit requires very good knowledge of mass, heat and momentum transfer phenomena. Moreover, the designer needs to know which kind of apparatus will be used in the distillation unit to realize a specific production process. The most complicated apparatus in a rectification unit is the distillation column. Depending on the complexity of the separation process one, two or more columns are often used. Additional equipment are heat exchangers (reboilers, condensers, cooling systems, heaters), separators, tanks for reflux distribution, tanks and pumps for feed transportation, etc. Such equipment is connected by pipes and valves, and for the normal operation of a distillation unit other instruments for measuring the flow rate, temperature and pressure are also required. Problems which might arise during the determination and selection of such apparati and their number requires knowledge of the specific systems which must be separated. The experience of the designer and his creativity for proposing a solution for an industrial unit which enables optimal process operation accompanied with minimal energy consumption, as well as a small number of apparati, and minimal total length of pipes and number of instruments is always a valuable additional effect for minimal investment costs and an optimal production process.


2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raluca Isopescu ◽  
Alexandru Woinaroschy ◽  
Loredana Draghiciu

The paper presents the analysis of the thermal efficiency of a dividing wall distillation column and the influence of the feed composition on the reduction of energy consumption compared to a classical scheme of multicomponent mixture separation. The study relays on rigorous simulations in HYSYSTM using thermodynamically equivalent schemes. A case study is presented for the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene separated in three products in a dividing wall column. The dividing wall column solution led to about 40 % energy saving. The efficiency of a dividing wall column increases when the middle component is in large amount in the feed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 3895-3901
Author(s):  
Munawar Zaman Shahruddin ◽  
Ahmad Nafais Rahimi ◽  
Muhammad Afiq Zubir ◽  
Muhammad Fakhrul Islam Zahran ◽  
Kamarul Asri Ibrahim ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 219-220 ◽  
pp. 424-427
Author(s):  
Lan Yi Sun ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Xue Nuan Liu ◽  
Qing Song Li

In this paper, an energy-efficient heat coupled distillation column (HCDC) which is industrially viable is constructed for propylene–propane mixture separation and the sensitivity analysis was performed. Some comparative studies are made with conventional distillation column (CC) and a column with a vapor recompression system (VRC). The results show that the thermal efficiency of the HCDC appears to be strongly sensitive to the compression ratio between rectification section and stripping section.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document