INVESTIGADORES
BUCALA Veronica
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Dynamic Optimization of a Urea Granulation Circuit
Autor/es:
COTABARREN, IVANA; BERTIN, DIEGO; BUCALÁ, VERÓNICA; PIÑA, JULIANA
Lugar:
Lausanne
Reunión:
Congreso; 5th International Granulation Workshop; 2011
Institución organizadora:
Universidad de Sheffield
Resumen:
In this work, a dynamic model of a complete urea granulation circuit (developed in previous
contributions) is used to perform dynamic optimizations, being the main goal the maximization of
the plant capacity. The circuit flowsheet includes mathematical models for a fluidized bed
granulator, a cooling unit, double-deck vibrating screens and double-roll crushers; the last two
models were validated against industrial data. Particularly, in this contribution the fluidization air
flowrate used in the core unit of the circuit (the granulator) is automatically fixed according to the
pressure drop of the granulator beds reflecting commonly industrial air flows set ups.
Several dynamic optimizations cases were developed in order to maximize plant capacity over
time. For each case, different combinations of possible control variables were tested (i.e., urea melt
flowrate, granulator fluidization air temperature, granulator discharge area). For all the performed
optimizations, physically realistic operating constraints were considered.
The results provided new promising operating points that can be achieved by tracking the
calculated optimal time-trajectories of the selected control variables. Besides, the main circuit
bottlenecks for increasing the throughput were identified.