Development of an Integrated Process Plant for the Conversion of Shale Gas to Propylene Glycol

Abstract

Propylene glycol is an important member of the glycol group and is widely used in the industry as a raw material particularly for producing polyester compounds, food additives, and antifreeze. In this research, a novel integrated plant is developed for the production of propylene glycol from shale gas. This integrated approach has the benefit of safer operating conditions because the intermediate propylene oxide, which is explosive, does not need to be stored and transported. Furthermore, there are potential economic benefits from integration. The overall plant is simulated in the Aspen Plus environment, and a variety of process conditions are tested at the steady state to optimize the production of propylene glycol. Heatintegration tools are utilized for energy-saving and capital cost reduction opportunities. A comparative economic assessment based on the existing plant information indicates that the use of process integration techniques has the potential to reduce costs significantly.

Techno-Economic Analysis of an Integrated Process Plant for the Production of 1,3-Butadiene from Natural Gas

“…The economic feasibility of the flowsheets is assessed via the net present value (NPV) as well as the discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFRR). 35 A positive value of NPV implies that the project is feasible. DCFRR represents the highest after-tax interest and discount rate at which the project breaks even.…”

“…These parameters are utilized in the ASPEN Plus sizing tool to determine the equipment size for each unit in the flowsheet. The cost estimation tool developed by Turton et al is utilized for plant cost calculations as described in Haque et al The cost estimation accuracy via this method ranges from ±20% of the actual cost. The economic feasibility of the flowsheets is assessed via the net present value (NPV) as well as the discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFRR) .…”

“…The cost estimation tool developed by Turton et al is utilized for plant cost calculations as described in Haque et al The cost estimation accuracy via this method ranges from ±20% of the actual cost. The economic feasibility of the flowsheets is assessed via the net present value (NPV) as well as the discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFRR) . A positive value of NPV implies that the project is feasible.…”