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Simulation and optimization of beta-zeolite based liquid phase alkylation reactor in cumene production plant

Simulation and optimization of beta-zeolite based liquid phase alkylation reactor in cumene production plant / Lim Zhi Huei
Dalam dekad yang lalu, pasaran untuk kumena telah berkembang pesat. Hal ini didorong terutamanya oleh permintaan untuk bisfenol A yang merupakan derivatif daripada fenol dan digunakan untuk menghasilkan resin epoksi dan polikarbonat. Sejurusnya, pengeluar-pegeluar kumena terpaksa menghasilkan lebih banyak kumena untuk menampung keperluan bisfenol A yang semakin meningkat, di samping mengekalkan kualiti kumena tersebut pada tahap memuaskan. Namun, wujudnya ketidakpastian berkenaan keadaan tindak balas optimum bagi menghasilkan hasil kumena yang maksimum. Hal ini kerana kerja-kerja penyelidikan dalam bidang ini adalah separa atau tidak selaras antara satu sama lain. Dalam kajian ini, Aspen Plus digunakan untuk mensimulasi dan mengoptimumkan reaktor alkilasi katil tetap aliran berterusan (PFR) di mana cecair benzena dan propilena bertindak balas di atas pemangkin beta-zeolite untuk menghasilkan kumena serta DIPB (produk sampingan). Keputusan simulasi dibandingkan dengan keputusan yang didapati dari literatur. Seterusnya, analisis sensitiviti terhadap model reaktor RPLUG tersebut menunjukkan bahawa suhu masuk reaktan, nisbah masuk benzena/propilena (b/p) dan WHSV mempunyai kesan jelas terhadap penukaran propilena serta selektiviti and hasil kumena. Penukaran propilena didapati meningkat dengan peningkatan suhu dan berkurangan dengan peningkatan nisbah b/p dan WHSV, manakala pemilihan terhadap kumena berkurangan dengan peningkatan suhu tetapi meningkat dengan peningkatan nisbah b/p dan WHSV. Akhir sekali, pengoptimuman model reaktor menunjukkan bahawa hasil kumena maksimum yang boleh dicapai adalah 88.45%, dan dicapai pada suhu masuk reaktan 100°C, tekanan 35 bar, nisbah b/p 2/1 dan WHSV 9h-1. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ In the past decade, the market for cumene has grown tremendously, driven especially by the demand for bisphenol A, which is a derivative of phenol and is used to manufacture epoxy resins and polycarbonate. Therefore, it is crucial for cumene manufacturers to cater to the increasing needs of the bisphenol A industry, while maintaining a high purity cumene product. However, there is no fixed idea on the optimum reaction conditions required to produce a maximum cumene yield since research works in this area are either incomprehensive or inconsistent to one another. In this work, Aspen Plus is used to simulate and optimize a continuous fixed bed plug flow alkylation reactor where liquid benzene and propylene react based on beta-zeolite catalyst to produce cumene, with side product DIPB. The simulation results are first compared with that from literature. Sensitivity analysis on the same RPLUG reactor model shows that feed temperature, benzene/propylene (b/p) feed ratio and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) have prominent effects on propylene conversion, cumene selectivity and yield. Conversion is found to increase with temperature and decrease with b/p ratio and WHSV, while cumene selectivity decreases with temperature but increases with b/p ratio and WHSV. Lastly, optimization study on the reactor model results in a maximum cumene yield of 88.45%, achieved at optimum variables of 100°C feed temperature, 35 bar operating pressure, b/p ratio of 2/1 and WHSV of 9h-1.
Contributor(s):
Lim Zhi Huei - Author
Primary Item Type:
Final Year Project
Identifiers:
Accession Number : 875006002
Barcode : 00003103388
Language:
English
Subject Keywords:
market for cumene; grown tremendously; demand for bisphenol A
First presented to the public:
6/1/2016
Original Publication Date:
5/21/2018
Previously Published By:
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Place Of Publication:
School of Chemical Engineering
Citation:
Extents:
Number of Pages - 68
License Grantor / Date Granted:
  / ( View License )
Date Deposited
2018-05-21 12:38:15.378
Date Last Updated
2019-01-07 11:24:32.9118
Submitter:
Mohd Jasnizam Mohd Salleh

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Simulation and optimization of beta-zeolite based liquid phase alkylation reactor in cumene production plant1 2018-05-21 12:38:15.378