Analysis of Capacity Potentials in Continuously Operated Chemical Processes

Abstract

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Supporting Information available online A method is proposed to evaluate capacity potentials in continuously operated chemical processes. In the main part of the analysis, the operating windows of the equipment are examined based on detailed steady-state simulations. The method is applied to a case study of the production process of ethylene oxide as a large-scale commodity chemical. Results show the limitations continuously operated processes are confronted with. However, opportunities to enlarge or shift the operating window of apparatuses applied are determined.

Indirect Demand Response Potential of Large-Scale Chemical Processes

“…The dynamic model of the EO plant is based on the steady-state model described in ref , which was exported to Aspen Dynamics. The plant model includes detailed distillation and absorption column models and a 1D plug-flow model for the multitubular fixed-bed reactor.…”

Decision support tool to determine the suitability of demand side management implementation in continuously operated processes – A biorefinery case study

“…proposed a recent evolution of this approach, which present a switchability index that offers a quick decision support tool that allows for reasonable design decisions, considering the system's dynamics. A method to evaluate capacity potentials in continuously operated chemical processes to detect the largest possible flexibility potential using this flexibility index has been investigated by Bruns et al 10 . Merkert et al 11 .…”

“…Di Pretoro et al 9 proposed a recent evolution of this approach, which present a switchability index that offers a quick decision support tool that allows for reasonable design decisions, considering the system's dynamics. A method to evaluate capacity potentials in continuously operated chemical processes to detect the largest possible flexibility potential using this flexibility index has been investigated by Bruns et al 10 Merkert et al 11 provide an overview of methods to determine the DSM potential of industrial processes. Evaluating the DSM potentials Gils et al, 12 Klobasa et al, 13 Ladwig, 14 Paulus and Borggrefe 15 have extended these methods to calculate the theoretical DSM potential of a specific region with a focus on differentiating seasonal influences, future perspectives or the availability of technical solutions.…”

Assessing the Realizable Flexibility Potential of Electrochemical Processes

“…1 However, chemical plants are usually optimized for a specific production capacity to minimize the sum of investment and operating costs. 2 Consequently, conventional plant operation is diametrically opposed to these new market developments. On the other hand, flexible operation also offers emerging opportunities, 3 for example, exploitation of varying electricity prices or financial compensation for providing grid balancing services (BSs).…”

“…Flexible operation of chemical processes is increasingly demanded to tackle challenges, such as an increasing share of renewables in the electricity mix, feedstock restrictions, increasing costs, or quickly changing customer wishes . However, chemical plants are usually optimized for a specific production capacity to minimize the sum of investment and operating costs . Consequently, conventional plant operation is diametrically opposed to these new market developments.…”