Economic Analysis for Energy Efficient Reactive Distillation

Abstract

Complex chemical reactions and downstream processing can be performed in reactive distillation column to overcome with equilibrium limitations and to make it an economical process. An existing reactive distillation unit is costly to modify due its complex configuration and existing limitations of structure, space area, etc. Modifying an existing plant is a tedious task and more complex than a new process. Thus, to modify the existing operating conditions and input design variables it is necessary to verify by applying the same in real plant condition. This is done using revamping based on rigorous simulation and optimization in Aspen Plus process simulator. The main form of energy generator used in a distillation column is reboiler which directly affects the utilities such as cooling water, electricity and steam. Therefore, optimizing this reboiler duty to reduce energy losses is done using optimization model analysis tool of Aspen Plus. This reduction of energy demands diminishes the operating cost as per the reduction in utility cost. Now this reduction in operating cost is evaluated corresponding to the optimized reflux ratio and number of plates as obtained using sensitivity analysis tool of Aspen Plus.