Assignment 5: Optimization

(PO3, CO2)

Figure 1 shows a section of process for converting toluene to benzene in a hydro alkylation reactor.

The main reaction is: C7 H8  H 2  C6 H 6  CH 4

The side reaction that produces biphenyl is: 2C6 H 6  C12 H10  H 2

Figure 1: Process for production of benzene.

The condition for the feed and two recycles streams are given in Table 1.

Component Feed (lbmol/hr) Recycle (lbmol/hr) Gas Recycle (lbmol/hr)

Hydrogen 2045.9
Methane 3020.8
Benzene 3.4 42.8
Toluene 274.2 82.5 5.3
Biphenyl 1.0
Temperature (0F) 75 250 121
Pressure (psi) 569 569 569
The pressure and temperature at various block is specified in Table 2.

Location Pressure (psi) Temperature (0F)

HeatX output for Furnace inlet 569 1000
Furnace outlet 494 1200
Reactor outlet 494 1268
Pump outlet 494
Heater outlet 480 100
Flash 480 100

Conversion of toluene is 75%.

2%of benzene present after the first reaction occurs is converted to biphenyl.

The overall heat transfer in HeatX is 60 Btu/(hr-ft2-0F).

The SPLIT block has flow split fraction 0.8 of PROD stream.

The property method is PENG-ROB

Question 1:

1. Specify the material balances of the PROD stream and cost utility of the plant.
2. Optimize the flash temperature 0F in order to maximize the PROFIT of the plant.
PROFIT = P_PROD*PRODUCT - C_QHEATX*QHEATX
Where, P_PROD is the price of product (=RM 1.2 lbmol-1 hr), C_QHEATX is the cost of heat duty
in the HX ( = RM 10-6Btu-1hr). PRODUCT is the mole flow BENZENE in the PROD steam (lbmol/hr).
QHEATX is calculated exchanger heat duty in HX block (Btu/hr).
Determine the optimum flash temperature, PRODUCT and QHEATX as long as the maximum
PROFIT obtained.
3. Compare the utility cost before and after optimization task. Discuss the result obtained.