Multiobjective Optimization of Steam Reformer Performance Using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

An existing side-fired steam reformer is simulated using a rigorous model with proven reaction kinetics, incorporating aspects of heat transfer in the furnace and diffusion in the catalyst pellet. Thereafter, “optimal” conditions, which could lead to an improvement in its performance, are obtained. An adaptation of the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is employed to perform a multiobjective optimization. For a fixed production rate of hydrogen from the unit, the simultaneous minimization of the methane feed rate and the maximization of the flow rate of carbon monoxide in the syngas are chosen as the two objective functions, keeping in mind the processing requirements, heat integration, and economics. For the design configuration considered in this study, sets of Pareto-optimal operating conditions are obtained. The results are expected to enable the engineer to gain useful insights into the process and guide him/her in operating the reformer to minimize processing costs and to maximize profits.

A heterogeneous dynamic model for the simulation and optimisation of the steam methane reforming reactor

“…At the SMR reactor exit the quantity of CO may be higher than that of CO 2 [25,37,48,67e76] varying between 6% and 12%. However, higher mole fraction of CO 2 than CO at the reactor exit has also been reported [7,16,36,44,77,78].…”

Multiobjective optimization of an industrial styrene reactor

“…Early studies used the parametric method or the o -constraint method to obtain the Pareto-optimal set of non-dominant solutions. More recently, our group has carried out multiobjective optimization studies on steam reformers (Rajesh, Gupta, Rangaiah & Ray, 2000) and hydrogen plant (Rajesh, Gupta, Rangaiah & Ray, 2001) using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA) (Srinivas & Deb, 1995). In the present work, two and three objective optimizations were carried out to obtain optimal operating conditions for both adiabatic and steam-injected styrene reactors.…”

Operation of an industrial steam reformer under severe condition: A simulation study

“…The extra resistance near the wall, causing the well known 'temperature jump', is described by an apparent wall heat-transfer (1992) Dixon (1988) Pe rf (∞) = 12 for spheres; Pe rf (∞) = 7 for cylinders; Pe rf (∞) = 6 for rings Dixon (1988) coefficient (Logtenberg and Dixon, 1998). The most important wall heat-transfer correlation ever used (Hyman, 1968;Singh and Saraf, 1979;Murty and Murthy, 1988;Ravi et al, 1989;Rajesh et al, 2000) in simulating steam-reformers is the correlation of Beek (1962). In these studies, however, a correction factor of about 0.38-0.4 is applied to moderate the results predicted by this correlation.…”