Optimization of DMC Transesterification Based Biodiesel Production

Abstract:

In this work, two types of optimization problems which are crucially related to batch reactor operation are considered. First problem is to maximize the conversion and second problem is to minimize the batch time. Both problems are solved using sequential quadratic programming (SQP) available in Aspen Plus. The manipulated variables i.e. reactor temperature and amount of palm oil are optimized simultaneously based on the specified objective function and equality constraint. Effect of intervals for both optimization problems are also evaluated in this paper. The results show that in maximizing conversion, the number of intervals did not significantly affect the amount of conversion. Meanwhile in minimizing batch time, the introduction of intervals was positively reduced the reactor temperature but negatively minimize the batch time.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1113)
• Pages: 370-375
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1113.370
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Nur Amirah Mohd Ali, Norashid Aziz*
• Keywords: Aspen Plus, Batch Reactor, Biodiesel, Optimization, Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP)

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