Analysis of Capacity Potentials in Continuously Operated Chemical Processes

Abstract

A method is proposed to evaluate capacity potentials in continuously operated chemical processes. In the main part of the analysis, the operating windows of the equipment are examined based on detailed steady-state simulations. The method is applied to a case study of the production process of ethylene oxide as a large-scale commodity chemical. Results show the limitations continuously operated processes are confronted with. However, opportunities to enlarge or shift the operating window of apparatuses applied are determined.