Effect of catalyst selectivity on exergetic and exergoeconomic evaluation of ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol process Online publication date: Mon, 05-Sep-2016
by Samir C. Nimkar; Rajubhai K. Mewada
International Journal of Exergy (IJEX), Vol. 21, No. 2, 2016
Abstract: Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important petrochemical used for different applications in chemical process industries. EO production cost is higher due to price of ethylene and silver catalyst. Safety constraints limit conversion of ethylene to EO in the reactor. Ethylene consumption in the process is gradually increases due to reduction in catalyst selectivity. Exergy analysis is used as a tool for optimisation of the EO process considering above hurdles. Half of the EO produced in the world is converted into ethylene glycol (EG), hence integrated plant of EO-EG is considered in the present study. Exergy efficiencies of two EG manufacturing processes are compared. Recovery of ethylene from purge gas is also analysed based on exergy. EXCEM method is used for economic evaluation of the process. A proposed parameter EGRex is useful to decide the catalyst life based on exergy loss in the EO reactor and income generated in the process.
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