Iranian Journal of Chemical Engineering (IJChE)
Scientific Journal

Simulation and investigation of thermodynamics and energy of methanol purification unit

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

S. Faramarzi 1
A.H Oudi 2
S. Azimi 2
Y. Davoodbeygi 3

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

3 Department of chemical Engineering, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/ijche.2023.376329.1467
Abstract
Methanol is an important industrial chemical, and its synthesis and purification units are among the most widely used processes in the field of energy. The two-column separation unit of methanol has been analyzed from the thermodynamic and energy points of view in the present study. The simulation has been done by Aspen Hysys V11 and the SRK equation has been regarded as the most appropriate equation of state (EOS) for this simulation with the mean relative error (MRE) of 2 %. Then, the design of the heat exchanger network (HEN) has been calculated using the Aspen Energy Analyzer V11. Both distillation towers have been analyzed using pinch technology. As a result, the amount of hot and cold utilities used has been LP=1.482×〖10〗^8, MP=1.57×〖10〗^4, and Air =1.423×〖10〗^8, respectively. Besides, the total heating and cooling target of the process has been 1.482×〖10〗^8 and 1.423×〖10〗^8, accordingly. Then, the 〖∆T〗_min (minimum allowable temperature difference between hot and cold currents) and its effect on the annual cost have been investigated. The optimum value 〖∆T〗_min is determined to have better-operating conditions and to meet the design of the HEN economically. Reducing 〖∆T〗_min increases operating costs and reduces energy costs.

Keywords

Methanol purification
Pinch technology
Thermodynamic
Simulation
  • He, X., Chen, D., Liang, Z. and Yang, F., “Insight and comparison of energy-efficient membrane processes for CO2 capture from flue gases in power plant and energy-intensive industry”, Carbon Capture Science & Technology, 2, 100020 (2022).
  • Sabzchi Asl, S., Tahouni, N. and Panjeshahi, M. H., “Energy benchmarking of thermal power plants using pinch analysis”, Journal of Cleaner Production, 171, 1342 (2018).
  • Bayomie, O. S., Abdelaziz, O. Y. and Gadalla, M. A., “Exceeding Pinch limits by process configuration of an existing modern crude oil distillation unit–A case study from refining industry”, Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 1050 (2019).
  • Pina, E. A., Palacios-Bereche, R., Chavez-Rodriguez, M. F., Ensinas, A. V., Modesto, M. and Nebra, S. A., “Reduction of process steam demand and water-usage through heat integration in sugar and ethanol production from sugarcane–Evaluation of different plant configurations”, Energy, 138, 1263 (2017).
  • Alwi, S. R. W., Rozali, N. E. M., Abdul-Manan, Z. and Klemeš, J. J., “A process integration targeting method for hybrid power systems”, Energy, 44 (1), 6 (2012).
  • El‐Halwagi, M. M. and Manousiouthakis, V., “Simultaneous synthesis of mass‐exchange and regeneration networks”, AIChE Journal, 36 (8), 1209 (1990).
  • Jahromi, F. S. and Beheshti, M., “An extended energy saving method for modification of MTP process heat exchanger network”, Energy, 140, 1059 (2017).
  • Ghorbani, B., Ebrahimi, A., Skandarzadeh, F. and Ziabasharhagh, M., “Energy, exergy and pinch analyses of an integrated cryogenic natural gas process based on coupling of absorption–compression refrigeration system, organic Rankine cycle and solar parabolic trough collectors”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 145 (3), 925 (2021).
  • Lei, G., Yu, J., Kang, H., Li, Q., Zheng, H., Wang, T., Yang, L. and Xuan, Z. “A novel intercooled series expansion refrigeration/liquefaction cycle using pinch technology”, Applied Thermal Engineering, 163, 114336 (2019).
  • Ghazizahedi, Z. and Hayati-Ashtiani, M., “Retrofitting isomerization process to increase gasoline quality and decrease CO2 emission along with energy analysis using pinch technology”, Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 1 (2020).
  • Pan, Q., Shan, H., Tamainot-Telto, Z. and Wang, R., “Heat recovery for adsorption refrigeration system via pinch technology”, Journal of Thermal Science, 31 (2), 379 (2022).
  • Farahbakhsh, S. and Keshtkar, M. M., “Economy and energy saving in Kaveh petrochemical methanol complex with emphasis on heat exchanger networks using pinch technology”, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1 (2022).
  • Li, D., Li, Y., Zheng, X., Wang, J. and Sun, W., “Synthesis of heat exchanger network with complex phase transition based on pinch technology and carbon tax”, IFAC-PapersOnLine, 55 (7), 418 (2022).
  • Chen, L., Jiang, Q., Song, Z. and Posarac, D., “Optimization of methanol yield from a Lurgi reactor”, Chemical Engineering & Technology, 34 (5), 817 (2011).
  • Zhang, J., Liang, S. and Feng, X., “A novel multi-effect methanol distillation process”, Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 49 (10), 1031 (2010).
  • Douglas, A. P. and Hoadley, A. F. A., “A process integration approach to the design of the two-and three-column methanol distillation schemes”, Applied Thermal Engineering, 26 (4), 338 (2006).
  • Sun, J., Wang, F., Ma, T., Gao, H., Wu, P. and Liu, L., “Energy and exergy analysis of a five-column methanol distillation scheme”, Energy, 45 (1), 696 (2012).
  • Wilhelmsen, Ø., Aasen, A., Skaugen, G., Aursand, P., Austegard, A., Aursand, E., Gjennestad, Aa., Lund, H., Linga, G. and Hammer, M., “Thermodynamic modeling with equations of state: Present challenges with established methods”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 56 (13), 3503 (2017).
  • Ilia, A., “Vapor-liquid equilibrium measurements in binary polar systems”, Diploma Thesis, (2016).
  • Ghazizahedi, Z. and Hayati-Ashtiani, M., “Heat transfer enhancement to decrease the energy consumption of a light naphtha isomerization unit by means of heat exchanger network retrofitting”, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 433 (1), 012070 (2018).
  • Pandit, A. and Singh, R. P., “Vapour-liquid equilibria calculations for polar mixtures with mixing rule using ASOG group-contribution method”, Fluid Phase Equilibria, 33 (1-2), 1 (1987).
  • Ghosh, P., “Prediction of vapor‐liquid equilibria using peng‐robinson and soave‐redlich‐kwong equations of state”, Chemical Engineering & Technology: Industrial Chemistry‐Plant Equipment‐Process Engineering‐Biotechnology, 22 (5), 379 (1999).
  • Plocker, U., Knapp, H. and Prausnitz, J., “Calculation of high-pressure vapor-liquid equilibria from a corresponding-states correlation with emphasis on asymmetric mixtures”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Process Design and Development, 17 (3), 324 (1978).
  • Samimi, F., Feilizadeh, M., Ranjbaran, M., Arjmand, M. and Rahimpour, M. R., “Phase stability analysis on green methanol synthesis process from CO2 hydrogenation in water cooled, gas cooled and double cooled tubular reactors”, Fuel Processing Technology, 181, 375 (2018).
  • Ndunagu, P. U., Alaike, E. E. and Megueptchie, T., “A practical approach to energy optimization using pinch analysis: A case study of an oil refinery”, Proceedings of SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition. OnePetro, (2021).
  • Du, S., Wang, R. Z. and Xia, Z. Z., “Optimal ammonia water absorption refrigeration cycle with maximum internal heat recovery derived from pinch technology”, Energy, 68, 862 (2014).
  • Bakar, S. H. A., Hamid, M. K. A., Alwi, S. R. W. and Manan, Z. A., “Effect of delta temperature minimum contribution in obtaining an operable and flexible heat exchanger network”, Energy Procedia, 75, 3142 (2015).

 

 

Iranian Journal of Chemical Engineering (IJChE)
Volume 19, Issue 3
Summer 2022
Pages 95-107

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us