Simulation and optimization on thermal cracking of ethylene dichloride for vinyl chloride production
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Date
2019-06
Authors
Muhammad Hazim Bin Mohd Fauzi
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Abstract
Vinyl chloride production from ethylene using thermal cracking of ethylene dichloride is one of the important and efficient technologies. Optimization on the conversion, selectivity and yield of industrial scale production is difficult to be done using experimental base approach. This is because experimental work requires more time to get the results. Hence, Aspen Plus Version 10 simulation software is used to simulate, test the sensitivity of operating parameter towards conversion, selectivity and yield. Besides, it is also used to optimize the production of vinyl chloride using RPLUG reactor model with desired end-product characteristics. The parameters required in Aspen Plus V10 is obtained from literature. The simulation results obtained were able to validate with literature results and acceptable since the error calculated for the vinyl chloride production when compared with literature is only 1.2 %. Sensitivity analysis conducted shows that the conversion of ethylene dichloride, EDC and yield of vinyl chloride, VCM were maximum at reactor temperature, pressure and inlet mass flow rate of 530 °C, 125 bar and 73000 kg/hr respectively. The optimization shows the maximum conversion of ethylene dichloride, selectivity and yield of vinyl chloride obtained are 99.47%, 96.14% and 97.51% respectively. This reaction has been optimized at temperature 535.94°C, pressure 146.21 bar and inlet mass flowrate 70761.4 kg/hr.