Volume 10: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Changing the World: Part II

The Optimum Value of Minimum Temparature Gap in The Energy Targeting of Distillation Columns Sequence by Thermal Pinch Analysis Munawar Zaman Shahruddin,Nur Syawarina Mokhtar,Rohani Mohd Zin,Ahmad Nafais Rahimi,Muhammad Afiq Zubir,Muhammad Fakhrul Islam Zahran,Norazana Ibrahim,Mohd Kamaruddin Abd. Hamid

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the essential parameter in energy integration of distillation columns sequence via Thermal Pinch Analysis, which is the minimum temperature difference, Δ𝑇𝑚𝑖𝑛. The distillation process of five alkane components has been selected as a case study for this research. From there, the shortcut simulations of all possible sequences have been simulated by using a process simulation software. Then, the energy consumption will be ranked accordingly whereby the lowest will be further simulated via a rigorous simulation before the application of the Thermal Pinch Analysis with a range of Δ𝑇𝑚𝑖𝑛 from 5 to 40 °C. Next, the energy requirement before and after the Thermal Pinch Analysis has been compared to determine the energy saving and to generate the economic analysis. According to the parametric analysis result, the optimum Δ𝑇𝑚𝑖𝑛 is in between the range of 20 to 25°C and the best sequence is Sequence 3 (direct-direct-indirect) which recorded 7.72% of total energy saving, USD 1274.45 MM per year of cost utility and USD 1.91 MM of capital expenditure. This can be termed as a conclusive remark to state the importance of ΔTmin role in balancing the energy saving of the process with the costs incurred for the process.

Keywords distillation columns sequence,heat integration,thermal pinch analysis,minimum temperature difference