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Abstract: This paper presents an application of the improved pinch methodology by performing a simplified exergy analysis in a real-size ammonia plant. Besides the well known pinch technics like composite curves and grand composite curve, the improved approach with the extended grand composite curve was implemented. The latter presents the most energy intensive units in the process separated from the process background as well as the direct transfer of enthalpy from hot utilities to cold utilities. Based on this presentation the synthesis of modified heat exchanger network was performed which results in considerable decrease of utilities demand.
Keywords: chemical engineering, process design, exergy analysis, ammonia plant, pinch methodology, extended hrand composite curve method, enthalpy exchange, distillation column, heat exchanger network
Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 1830; Downloads: 110
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Abstract: Optimization problems for the design and synthesis of flexible chemical processes are often associated with highly discretized models. The ultimate goal of this work is to significantly reduce the set of uncertain parameter points used in these problems. To accomplish the task, an approach was developed for identifying the minimum set of critical points needed for flexible design. Critical points in this work represent those values of uncertain parameters that determine optimal overdesign of process, so that feasible operation is assured within the specified domain of uncertain parameters. The proposed approach identifies critical values of uncertain parameters a-priori by the separate maximization of each design variable, together with simultaneous optimization of the economic objective function. During this procedure, uncertain parameters are transformed into continuous variables. Three alternative methods are proposed within this approach: the formulation based on Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions, the iterative two-level method, and the approximate one-level method. The identified critical points are then used for the discretization of infinite uncertain problems, in order to obtain the design with the optimum objective function and flexibility index at unity. All three methods can identify vertex or even nonvertex critical points, whose total number is less than or equal to the number of design variables, which represents a significant reduction in the problem's dimensionality. Some examples are presented illustrating the applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach, as well as the role of the critical points in the optimization of design problems under uncertainty.
Keywords: chemical processing, process synthesis, flexibility, design, critical point, vertex, nonvertex
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2040; Downloads: 95
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Abstract: This work describes the statistical analysis of three mathematical models, modified for describing the kefir grain biomass growth curve. Experimental data of time-dependent kefir grain mass increase were used. The propagation was performed in RC1 batch reaction system under optimal bioprocess parameters (temperature, rotational frequency of stirrer, glucose mass concentration) using traditional cultivation in fresh, high-temperature, pasteurized whole fat cow's milk. We compared values of biological parameters obtained by applying the nonlinear regression of experimental data in logistic, Gompertz and Richards models. The most statistically appropriate model was determined using the seven statistical indicators. We established that the kefir grain biomass growth curve during batch propagation under optimal bioprocess conditions can be most successfully described using the Gompertz growth model.
Keywords: chemical processing, milk products, kefir grain growth, process parameters, design of experiments, modeling, mathematical models, Gompertz growth model, RC1
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 2990; Downloads: 136
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Abstract: This article examines the propagation of kefir grains in fresh HTP whole fat cows' milk, with some additions (glucose and bakers yeast). The objective of our work was an experimental determination of the various process parameters relative influence on the propagation and daily kefir grain increase mass, using the Taguchi method for experimental design. The effects of medium temperature, glucose mass concentration, bakers yeast mass concentration and the rotational frequency of the stirrer at four levels were studied. Orthogonal array layout of L16 was selected for the proposed experimental design. All experiments were performed in an automated laboratory reaction calorimeter RC1 (Mettler-Toledo) with the same milk (3.5 % fat). The gravimetric method was used to determine daily kefir grain mass increases. Relative contributions of the proposed influencing process parameters on the daily kefir grains increase mass were estimated by analysis of the variance (ANOVA). The highest increase (51.5 %) was found at the rotational frequency of the stirrer 90 (1/min), at glucose mass concentration 20 g/L, and at mediumtemperature 24 °C. Within the observed range of yeast mass concentrationthis process parameter was found to be insignificant compared to others. The rotational frequency of the stirrer has the highest relative influence on the daily kefir grains increase mass (37.3 %) while glucose mass concentration and medium temperature have lower ones, 18.8 % and 9.9 %, respectively. The remaining fraction represents error influence. The main reason for its relatively high value (34.0 %) is that kefir grains are bulky and awkward to handle. This fact confirms the importance of optimal kefir grains production management.
Keywords: chemical processing, milk products, kefir, kefir grain growth, process parameters, design of experiments, Taguchi method, RC1
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 2979; Downloads: 52
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Abstract: Site expansions or changes in production capacities are usually related with changes of utilities demands andžor utility system design. Despite several available and well established techniques for process synthesis and integration, very often, changes in process designs are made on the basis of intuition and experiences of engineers. In this paper possibilities of rational energy consumption and energy integration in an existing site for production of specialty chemicals were studied. On the basis of real process parameters and computer simulation results energy integration was re-examined.Total site analysis using modified Site Sink Source Profiles, which gives a profound insight into the site utility system configuration, heating-cooling demands and cogeneration design was performed. The existing site was found to be very well designed. With only few modifications additional 9% of hot utilities and 5% of cold utilities savings are possible.
Keywords: chemical engineering, process design, optimization, heat integration, cogeneration, pinch method, energy retrofit
Published in DKUM: 30.05.2012; Views: 3084; Downloads: 101
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