Energy Efficient Distillation Columns Design for Retrofit NGLs Fractionation Process

Abstract:

Distillation is the primary separation process widely used in the industrial chemical process. Although it has many advantages, the main drawback is its large energy requirement, which may significantly influence the overall plant profitability. However, the large energy requirement of these processes can be systematically reduced by using driving force and energy integration methods. This paper presents a methodology for designing energy efficient distillation columns systems based on those two methods. Generally, the proposed methodology consists of four hierarchical steps. In the first step, the system of distillation columns for multicomponent separation is designed based on the conventional distillation column design (shortcut) method. Then, the conventional distillation columns systems design is improved in terms of energy saving by using driving force method in the second step. It is expected in the third step that the distillation columns systems design can be further improved in terms of energy saving by using energy integration method. Finally, the distillation columns systems design is evaluated in terms of economic performance. The simulation results by using Aspen HYSYS have shown that the driving force sequence by using shortcut method for NGLs has energy savings with 55% reduction compared to a direct method with shortcut method. It can be verified that the proposed methodology has the capability in designing energy efficient distillation columns in an easy, systematic and practical manners.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1113)
• Pages: 667-673
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1113.667
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Mohd Faris Mustafa, Noor Asma Fazli Abdul Samad, Kamarul Asri Ibrahim, Norazana Ibrahim, Mohd Kamaruddin Abd Hamid
• Keywords: Driving Force, Energy Efficient Distillation Columns, Pinch Technology

References

[1] Amiya, K. J (2010). Heat Integrated Distillation Operation. Applied Energy 87 (2010) 1477- 1494.

[2] Bek-Pedersen, E., Gani, R. (2004). Design and Synthesis of Distillation Systems Using a Driving-Force Based Approach. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 43, 251-262.

DOI: 10.1016/s0255-2701(03)00120-x

[3] Kemp, I. C. (2007). Pinch Analysis and Process Integration. A User Guide on Process Integration for the Efficient Use of Energy. Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

[4] Sobocan, G., Glavic, P. (2012). A simple method for systematic synthesis of thermally integrated distillation sequences. Chemical Engineering Journal, 89 (1-3), 155-172.

DOI: 10.1016/s1385-8947(02)00012-8

[5] Wang, J. L., and Mansoori, G. A. (1994). A Revision of the Distillation Theory (Part I). Scientia Ir., 1(3), 267-287.

[6] Bek-Pedersen, E., and Gani, R. (2004). Design and Synthesis of Distillation Systems Using a Driving-Force Based Approach. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 43, 251-262.

DOI: 10.1016/s0255-2701(03)00120-x

[7] Kemp, I. C. (2007). Pinch Analysis and Process Integration. A User Guide on Process Integration for the Efficient Use of Energy. Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.