Simulation and optimization of ethylene Glycol production
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Syed Hussaini Syed Sulaiman
Journal Title
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Abstract
Ethylene glycol production from syngas using gas-phase hydrogenation of
dimethyl oxalate on a copper-based catalyst is one of the crucial technologies.
Optimization on the conversion, selectivity and yield of industrial scale production is
difficult to be done using experimental base approach. Hence, Aspen Plus Version 10
simulation software is used to simulate, test the sensitivity of operating parameter towards
conversion, selectivity and yield, and optimize the production of ethylene glycol using
RPLUG reactor model with desired end-product characteristics. The simulation results
obtained is acceptable since the error calculated for the ethylene glycol production when
compared with literature is only 9.17 %. Sensitivity analysis conducted shows that the
conversion of dimethyl oxalate and yield of ethylene glycol were maximum at reactor
temperature, pressure and hydrogen to dimethyl oxalate mole ratio of 212'C, 29 bar and
46 respectively. Methyl glycolate to dimethyl oxalate mole ratio do not show significant
effect on the conversion and yield. Hence, the variable not included in the optimization
study. After optimization, the maximum conversion of dimethyl oxalate, selectivity of
ethylene glycol and yield of ethylene glycol obtained are 100 %, 98 % and 99.7 %
respectively. This reaction has been optimized at 200 'C, 37 bar, 23.6 wt. % of dimethyl
oxalate concentration and hydrogen to dimethyl oxalate mole ratio of 64.