Title: An overview of exergy analysis for chemical process industries

Authors: Samir C. Nimkar; Rajubhai K. Mewada

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Technology, Navi Mumbai 400614, Maharashtra, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Among all the industrial sectors, the chemical industry is one of the energy intensive industry with 33% share in industrial energy use. Increasing cost of raw materials, infrastructure cost and energy cost increases burden on the profit margin of the chemical sector. Chemical industries are looking for improved process design and efficient equipments where energy consumption can be reduced. In such a situation, exergy analysis can acts as an important tool to pinpoint energy wastage. It also provides an insight for improvement in the process or equipment to enhance its energy efficiency. In this paper, major unit operations and processes involved in various chemical industries are discussed with recommendations for reduction in exergy losses along with several case studies. Overview of process improvement and environmental protection using exergy analysis is also carried out.

Keywords: exergy analysis; exergy destruction; exergy efficiency; chemical process industries; inorganic chemical industry; distillation column; refinery; energy consumption; energy efficiency; process improvement; environmental protection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2014.066614

International Journal of Exergy, 2014 Vol.15 No.4, pp.468 - 507

Received: 09 Jul 2013
Accepted: 12 Dec 2013
Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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