Methodology for the Design and Analysis of Reaction−Separation Systems with Recycle. 1. The Design Perspective

Abstract

A three-stage systematic model-based analysis methodology for the integrated design-control for chemical process with a reaction-separation with recycle scheme is presented. At the core of the methodology, a model-based analysis of first-principles models of different complexities identifies the important interactions between the design and process variables, so that specified design targets may be achieved. Stage 1 in the model-based methodology simplifies the design-control problem, such that the main operations are identified. The corresponding model, which has been developed in terms of dimensionless variables, helps to identify the limiting values of a set of lumped (design process) variables and locates operational windows where process feasibility can be assessed. In stage 2, more-detailed models are developed by delumping the set of lumped variables and relaxing the assumptions of stage 1. The only solutions to be considered are those lying within the bounds (operation windows) defined in stage 1. The objective of stage 2 is to identify the location of an optimal operation based on a specified design target. Stage 3 is used as a verification stage, by means of more-rigorous models in steady-state and dynamic models. Through the solution of a hierarchical subproblems, the solution of a complex design-control problem is therefore obtained systematically, along with an understanding of the process behavior. The ethylbenzene production process is used to highlight the design features of the methodology.

Synthesis and Optimization of Reaction–Separation–Recycle Systems with Complex Distillation Sequences

“…Whereafter, Biegler et al proposed a synthesis methodology for chemical reactor networks with simultaneous mass integration through mass exchangers. Later, Ramirez and Gani provided a three-stage systematic methodology for the design–control of reaction–separation system with recycle. Moreover, Alpuche-Manrique et al analyzed the snowball effect for reaction–separation–recycle system considering thermally coupled distillation with side columns.…”

Methodology for the Design and Analysis of Reaction−Separation Systems with Recycle. 2. Design and Control Integration

“…As discussed in the first part of this series, 1 a hierarchical three-stage model-based Methodology has been developed to perform the design, control, and analysis of chemical processes, showing a reaction-separation with recycle (RSR) scheme. The Methodology makes use of the potential that a model-based analysis of the process offers, with the objective of revelaing the main interactions that exist between the different design and process variables, so that the design and control integration can be performed systematically.…”