Design of a propane-propylene internally heat-integrated distillation column

Identifier:  TFG:2412

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG2412

Authors:  Martí Estepa, Aleix

Abstract:
The superfractive distillation columns are used in the propane-propylene separations in propylene or polypropylene plants. These have a high energy consumption because of de high purity required, the low relative volatilities and the high reflux relations. The more used solution is the distillation with mechanical vapour recompression (MVR). A recent technological progress by Toyo Engineering Corporation (Japan) is the internally heat-integrated distillation column (HIDiC) where the vapour recompression and an adiabatic operation are combined. The project includes the design of a propane-propylene splitter for an existent plant of propylene in gas phase. The company has the objective of replacing this with another MVR or with a HIDiC. The purpose of the project is to design the three different alternatives to get a cost effectiveness comparative between them. To carry out the demonstration or at least the objective comparative between the three distillation columns, it starts with the current MVR design bases provided by the company, for the three alternatives. It presents the feed conditions of propane-propylene to the distillation column and the product specifications. From now on, the tasks to realise during the project year are planned. At first, a bibliographical investigation for the three alternatives is realised to know better how they work. Next, the simulation of the splitter is carried out by Aspen Hysys, beginning with the conventional column, which is more simple. Once the flux diagram is obtained, the mechanical design of the process equipment and the pipelines list are realised, as well as the instrumentation and the different control systems are realised too, obtaining the P&ID. This is the principal part of the project, called the basic engineering. Then, the security studies are realised, including a BLEVE incident in the reflux accumulator, a HazOp, the DOW index and the Atex zones, the study of environmental impact and finally the application of different types of maintenance. By last, the unit cost and the cost effectiveness are estimated to get the results and then show the better option would be the best. It’s not included the operation manual because the purpose of the project is the comparative of the three alternatives. All of this tasks are realised for the three solutions.