Mathematical Modeling of Increasing Quenching on Methanol Production Rate for a Multi-Bed Quenching Reactor
Keywords:
Mathematical modeling, kinetic model, quenching rector, numerical analysis method, Matlab softwareAbstract
This research focuses on the importance of studying the effects of varying feed flow rates and quenching flow rates on methanol production rates and their impact on reactor bed temperatures. The primary objective is to determine the optimal conditions for achieving the highest methanol production rate. A mathematical model of the reactor was developed using the Graff kinetic model, incorporating hydrogenation reaction pathways for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as well as the water-gas shift reaction. Differential equations for molar and energy balances were numerically solved using the Runge-Kutta method implemented in MATLAB. The results revealed that increasing quenching to 65% of feed reduced methanol production by 12%. In contrast, at quenching rate of 79% led to an increase in methanol production from 842 mol/s to 894 mol/s, representing a 6% improvement. These findings indicate that increasing the quenching flow rate positively impacts reaction temperatures and enhances methanol production, while reducing the feed flow rate can have adverse effects.
References
Alarifi, A., Alsobhi, S., Elkamel, A., & Croiset, E. (2015). Multiobjective optimization of methanol synthesis loop from synthesis gas via a multibed adiabatic reactor with additional interstage CO2 quenching. Energy & Fuels, 29(2), 530-537.
Al-Fadli, A. M., Soliman, M. A., & Froment, G. F. (1995). Steady state simulation of a multi-bed adiabatic reactor for methanol production. Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences, 7, 101-132.
Bisotti, F., Fedeli, M., Prifti, K., Galeazzi, A., Dell’Angelo, A., & Manenti, F. (2022). Impact of kinetic models on methanol synthesis reactor predictions: in silico assessment and comparison with industrial data. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 61(5), 2206-2226.
Graaf, G. H., Stamhuis, E. J., & Beenackers, A. A. C. M. (1988). Kinetics of low-pressure methanol synthesis. Chemical Engineering Science, 43(12), 3185-3195.
H.S. Fogler. (2004). Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, 4th ed., New Jersey, USA, Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA,.
Lee, S. (1989). Methanol synthesis technology.
Leonzio, G. (2020). Mathematical modeling of a methanol reactor by using different kinetic models. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 85, 130-140.
Nestler, F., Schütze, A. R., Ouda, M., Hadrich, M. J., Schaadt, A., Bajohr, S., & Kolb, T. (2020). Kinetic modelling of methanol synthesis over commercial catalysts: A critical assessment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 394, 124881.
Palma, V., Meloni, E., Ruocco, C., Martino, M., & Ricca, A. (2018). State of the art of conventional reactors for methanol production. Methanol, 29-51.
Stoica, I., Banu, I., Bobarnac, I., & Bozga, G. (2015). Optimization of a methanol synthesis reactor. UPB Scientific Bulletin, Series B: Chemistry and Materials Science, 77(4), 134-146.
Young, T., & Mohlenkamp, M. J. (2021). Introduction to numerical methods and Matlab Programming for Engineers.
