Algorithm and software for the optimal technological design of a system of simple distillation columns

Objectives. The formalized problem of the optimal design of distillation column systems belongs to the class of mixed integer nonlinear program problems. Discrete search variables are the number of trays in the rectifying and stripping sections of columns, whereas the continuous ones are the operating modes of columns. This study aimed to develop an algorithm and a software package for the optimal technological design of a system of simple distillation columns based on the criterion of total reduced capital and energy costs using rigorous mathematical distillation models.Methods. The solution to this problem is based on the branch and bound method. A computer model of the distillation column system was developed in the environment of the Aspen Hysys software package. The Inside–Out module was used as the distillation model. The developed algorithm is implemented in the software environment of the Matlab mathematical package. To solve the conditional optimization problem, a sequential quadratic programming method-based model was used. The interaction between software add-ins in Matlab and Aspen Hysys is implemented using a Component Object Model interface.Results. Approaches to obtain the lower and upper bounds of the optimality criterion and the branching method for the implementation of the branch and bound method have been developed. In addition, an algorithm for the optimal design of a distillation column of a given topology based on the branch and bound method has been developed. Furthermore, using Matlab, a software package that implements the developed algorithm and is integrated with the universal modeling software AspenHysys has been created.Conclusions. An algorithm and a software package have been developed and implemented that allows automating the design process of distillation column systems and integration with advanced mathematical programming packages, respectively. The performance of the algorithm and software package has been evaluated using the optimal design of the debutanization column as an example.

CATALYTIC CRACKING OF HEAVY OIL OF ALIF FIELD – MARIB- YEMEN

The study presents the results of the catalytic cracking process of heavy oil of the Alif – Marib field in Yemen. The best conditions of the process, pressure, temperature, and using zeolite HZSM-5 as catalyst were selected. Based on the characteristics of the heavy oil, the analyses were done using a gas chromatography technique and catalytic cracking unit designed in the laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Petrochemical faculty at Al-Baath University- Syria., refining process was done in Refining Company- Homs. The results of simple distillation of the cracking products at different range of temperature were (Gasoline= 19.5%; Kerosene=15%; Light gas oil= 36%; Distillate residue= 29.5%) and gases (CH4= 67.55 %; C2H4= 14.66 %; C2H6= 7.48 %; H3H8= 9.24%; C4H10=1.06 %). Extraction by sulfuric acid was done. An 84.044% oil-free aromatic has been gotten. In order to remove total paraffins from the oily cut that has a high pour point, different solvents were used. The properties of the oily cut from which the paraffin wax was removed gave encouraging results.

A survey on fractionation: the optimal control of distilling in batch and semibatch configurations

Since the middle of the last century, discussion about the operation of discontinuous fractionation to meet multifarious goals, such as product purity and recovery rate, by monitoring process variables including reflux or/and heat duty, is been on. The engineering practice showed intolerable events to occur; hereof the operation must be supervised, which makes it difficult to be in agreement with the batch distillation objectives. Hence, to uphold the effectuation of new operating policies into the industrial “know-how” techniques, different optimal control strategies can be conceived. The objective of this work is to offer a literature survey on the investigations of optimal control functioning for selected simple distillation column configurations employed in batch/semibatch distillation of homogeneous/reactive mixtures, as well as the approaches used in this regard. Available optimal control schemes have been reviewed in detail, emphasizing its major assets.

Extraction of Essential Oil from Sedap malam Flower (Polianthes tuberosa) Using Methanol Solvent

The objectives of this study are to obtain essential oil from Sedap Malam (Tuberose) flower via extraction method and to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the essential oil produced, such as density, rendement, and chemical composition. The extraction process was carried out by using methanol solvent. The ratio between Sedap Malam flower and the methanol solvent was 1:5. After the extraction process of the essential oil finished, the essential oil and the solvent were separated via a simple distillation process. The collected essential oil was then characterized using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) apparatus and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) analysis to investigate the content of the essential oil extracted from Sedap Malam flower. The physical characterization results showed that the essential oil has average rendement value of 12.605 % and density value of 1.0905 g/mL. Additionally, organoleptic test was carried to test the response of respondents toward the color and odor/fragrance of the essential oil extracted from Sedap Malam flower. Most of the responses were included in categories of “Like” and “Really like”. Additionally, for the fragrance, most of response of the respondents for all the four samples of essential oil were in category of “Really like”.

Towards Volatile Organoselenium Compounds with Cost-Effective Synthesis

The current portfolio of organoselenium compounds applicable as volatile precursors for atomic layer deposition can be denoted as very limited. Hence, we report herein facile and cost-effective preparation of two bis(trialkylstannyl)selenides as well as one selenole and three bis(trialkylsilyl)selenides. Their syntheses have been optimized to: (i) use readily available and inexpensive starting materials, (ii) involve operationally simple methodology (heating in a pressure vessel), (iii) use a minimum amount of additives and catalysts, and (iv) either exclude additional purification or involve only simple distillation. The chemical structure of prepared Se derivatives was confirmed by multinuclear NMR and GC/MS. Their fundamental thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and TGA methods that revealed thermal stability within the range of 160–300 °C.

Utilization of Unused Autoclaves to Produce Aquades (Aquabits) in the Laboratory of Biosciences and Plant Technology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science ITS

Laboratories in Higher Education have an important role as executors of its Tri Dharma which includes the functions of education, research, and community service. Every activity in the laboratory, it requires destilled water as solvent and cleaners of various tools and materials. This fact leads to high budget is needed for the availability of the material in laboratory. In the Plant Biosciences and Technology Laboratory, an autoclave was broken. It is no longer used as its main function sterilization and can only be used as a tool to heat water. With few modifications, namely the addition of a condenser made of copper pipes, the autoclave has been converted into a simple distillation device. It was expected tha the tool could produce distilled water, which has the same value as distilled water sold in the market. The results showed that the tool produces colorless, odorless, and tasteless distilled water. The quality is in accordance with distilled water sold in the market and SNI standard for demineralized water. The pH and TDS values ​​ are slightly higher than distilled water sold in the market but are still in the range of ​ SNI standard for demineralized water. The value of DHL, both the distilled water produced and the one sold in the market are not in the range of SNI standard for demineralized water. Hence, studies are needed to obtain the same value so that the need for distilled water for educational, research, and community service activities in the Department of Biology FSAINS ITS can be fulfilled.

Analisis Kualitas Minyak Nilam dan Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keputusan Petani Dalam Memilih Ketel Penyulingnya

Aceh Province (as one of the major producer in Indonesia) produces about 423 tons of patchouli oil yearly, harvested from about 2.041ha patchouli farm. One of problems faced by patchouli farmer is related to post-harvest handling process, especially during distillation. Many farmers still use simple distillation equipment made from used drums, so that the quality of the oil is relatively low. In the meantime, equipment made from better materials (such as stainless steel) is already available commercially, but farmer has not yet willing to adopt the technology. The aims of this study are to determine the percentage of farmers who still use the distillation unit made from used drum, analyze the yield and quality of patchouli oil at the farm level, and analyze the factors that influence the farmer decision in choosing the type of distillation unit. Respondents in this study came from three sub-districts of patchouli producers in South Aceh District. Data was collected by means of interviews, distribution of questionnaires, and observation. Patchouli oil samples were taken from farmers' patchouli distillation unit to be analyzed. The results showed that the majority of farmers still used distillation unit made from used drums (79%), while those who use stainless steel distillation unit is very small (21%). The laboratory analysis (by GC-MS) showed that the quality of patchouli oil from stainless steel distillation unit is better than patchouli oil from used-drum distillation unit. The factors that influence farmer’s decision in choosing type of distillation units are the initial investment costs and operational costs of distillation unit. Many farmers find it difficult to get enough initial capital to buy the stainless steel unit, therefore the majority of farmers choose to use used-drum distillation unit (which is cheaper) instead of stainless steel unit.

Comparison of Dimethylformamide with Dimethylsulfoxide for Quality Improvement of Distillate Recovered from Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil

As a part of improving the quality of the distillate (distilling temperature 120–350 °C) recovered from waste plastic pyrolysis oil (WPPO) by simple distillation, the enrichment of paraffin components present in the distillate was compared by the equilibrium extraction of dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Regardless of the solvent used, the concentration increase rate of the paraffin component in the raffinate relative to the raw material was reduced by increasing the mass fraction of water in the solvent in an initial state. On the other hand, it increased by increasing the mass ratio of the solvent to the raw material in an initial state. The enrichment performance of paraffin component in raffinate recovered by DMF was higher than that by DMSO under the same experimental conditions. Furthermore, the two solvents were compared by adding color and the waxing phenomena of recovered raffinate to assess the enrichment performance of paraffin components.