Case Studies on Optimum Reflux Ratio of Distillation Towers in Petroleum Refining Processes

Hsi-Jen Chen; Yeh-Chin Lin

doi:10.6180/jase.2001.4.2.04

Case Studies on Optimum Reflux Ratio of Distillation Towers in Petroleum Refining Processes

Hsi-Jen Chen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.¹ and Yeh-Chin Lin¹

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Tamkang University Tamsui, Taiwan 251, R.O.C.

Received: January 1, 2001
Accepted: June 26, 2001
Publication Date: June 26, 2001

Download Citation: ||https://doi.org/10.6180/jase.2001.4.2.04

ABSTRACT

For an existing distillation tower such as the propylene splitter in this study, the number of trays is fixed and there are very few degrees of freedom that can be manipulated to maximize operating profit; the reflux ratio can be used to influence the steady-state operating point and thus the daily profit. Also, in the debutanizer design, we have discussed the trade-offs between reflux ratios (energy costs) and annualized capital costs.

Keywords: Optimal Reflux Ratio, Propylene Splitter, Debutanizer, Petroleum Refining

REFERENCES

[1] Fair, J.R., “Energy-Efficient Separation Process Design,” Recent Developments in Chemical Process and Plant Design, Y.A. Liu, McGee, Jr., H.A. and Epperly, W.R. (eds.), John Wiley & Sons, New York (1987).
[2] GAMS Development Corporation, GAMS A USER’S GUIDE, Washington, DC, GAMS Development Corporation (1998).
[3] ChemShare Corporation, DESIGN II USER’S GUIDE, Houston, TX, ChemShare Corporation (1988).
[4] Eduljee, H.E., “Equations Replace Gilliland’s Plot,” Hydrocarbon Process., 54 (9), 120 (1975).
[5] de Nevers, N. and Seader, J.D., “Lost Work: a Measure of Thermodynamic Efficiency,” Energy, 5, 757 (1980).
[6] Douglas, J.M., Conceptual Design of Chemical Processes, McGraw-Hill, New York (1988).

ABSTRACT

REFERENCES

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