Title: Effect of catalyst selectivity on exergetic and exergoeconomic evaluation of ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol process

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: 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 EGR_ex is useful to decide the catalyst life based on exergy loss in the EO reactor and income generated in the process.

Keywords: exergy analysis; ethylene oxide; ethylene glycol; exergy efficiency; exergy destruction; catalyst selectivity; exergoeconomic analysis; petrochemicals; ethylene recovery; purge gas.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2016.078924

International Journal of Exergy, 2016 Vol.21 No.2, pp.157 - 185

Received: 18 Sep 2015
Accepted: 17 Feb 2016
Published online: 05 Sep 2016 *

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