Application of Advanced Exergetic Analysis for the Improvement of Chemical Processes

Abstract

The exergy concept addresses the synthesis, design, and optimization of processes in which matter and energy are converted. While a conventional exergy analysis identifies the location, magnitude, and causes of thermodynamic inefficiencies within a system, the concept of advanced exergetic analysis provides the opportunity to reveal the structural interdependencies of the system components and to estimate the thermodynamic improvement potential of the most components. The capabilities of an advanced exergetic analysis are demonstrated using the hydrodealkylation process of toluene as an example.

Conventional and Advanced Exergy Analyses of an Integrated LNG Regasification–Air Separation Process

“…Exogenous exergy destruction ( E d,k EX ) is obtained by the difference between the total exergy destruction and the endogenous exergy destruction. By integrating avoidable/unavoidable exergy destruction analysis with endogenous/exogenous exergy destruction analysis, we can calculate the following: Avoidable endogenous exergy destruction ( E d,k AV,EN ), that is, the exergy destruction that can be reduced by improving the efficiency of the under-consideration component, and Avoidable exogenous exergy destruction ( E d,k AV,EX ), that is, the exergy destruction that can be reduced by improving the overall process design. ,,− …”

“…Avoidable exogenous exergy destruction ( E d,k AV,EX ), that is, the exergy destruction that can be reduced by improving the overall process design. ,,− …”

“…Advanced exergy analysis provides detailed insights into the process irreversibilities by decomposing the overall exergy destruction of the process into avoidable and unavoidable components. Moreover, it allows identification of the exergy destruction due to inherent equipment inefficiencies as well as due to the interaction between various pieces of process equipment. − …”

Motivation Through Practical Relevance – Didactic Benefits of Process Simulators

“…The exergetic optimization of process engineering applications offers an interesting alternative to classical optimization approaches in which the choice and definition of suitable objective functions is often difficult. It can also be used without the need to draw on rigorous mathematical optimization tools as demonstrated by Penkhuhn and Tsatsaronis and Schöneberger et al . The PSC2016 event was a further example of the successful application of a concept which originated from the field of energy technology and was transferred to processes from chemical engineering.…”

Motivating Students through Practice‐Oriented Challenges – Didactic behind the Flowsheet Simulators

“…Sie kann zudem eingesetzt werden ohne auf rigorose mathematische Optimierungswerkzeuge zurückgreifen zu müssen, wie bspw. von Penkhuhn und Tsatsaronis und Schöneberger et al gezeigt wurde. Mit dem PSC2016 wurde ein weiteres Beispiel für die erfolgreiche Anwendung dieses aus der Energietechnik stammenden Konzeptes auf Prozesse aus der Chemie geschaffen.…”