Optimal Operation of an Ethylene Plant at variable feed conditions

ELICECHE, ANA M.; PETRACCI, N.C.; HOCH, PATRICIA M.; BRIGNOLE, ESTEBAN A.

COMPUTERS AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 1995 vol. 19 p. 223 - 228

0098-1354

Ethylene is produced from an ethane rich feed. Variations in the feed flowrate and ethane composition are expected. It is important to kuow whether the existing plant can operate in the feasible region fbr the expected deviations. In particular, the questions raised in this work are how much feed can be processed in the plant and how can plant bottlenecks be detected in order to increment plant capacity. For a given feed, the operating conditions of the ethylene plant are evaluated solving a non linear programming problem. The objective function is the profit maximum, and the feasible region is limited by the design specifications and equipment capacities. Active constraints related to equipment capacities indicate plant bottlenecks. A numerical example is presented for a real ethylene plant where the the flowrate and ethane composition vary within expected ranges. Bottlenecks are divided in two sectors of the plant: in the furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied. furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied. furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied. furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied. furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied. plant: in the furmaces and in the ethylene-ethane splitter. Possible solutions to overcome the bottlenecks are also studied.