Design of mixed refrigerant cycle for low temperature processes - Part I: Optimal operation conditions

Minimizing the work consumed of refrigeration system is the most effective measure to reduce the cost of products in subambient chemical processes. A recent advancement has been the introduction ofmixed working fluids in refrigeration system in place of pure working fluids. Due to the lack ofsystematic design method for Mixed Refrigerant Cycle (MRC), conventional approaches are largelytrial-and-error and therefore operations can be far away from optimal conditions. In this paper, a novelmethod for systematic design of MRCs with a given configuration is presented which combines thebenefits of thermodynamics approach and mathematical optimization. An ethylene process has been chosen as a typical example of low temperature process. The best pattern is introduced to be applied inthe project. optimal high and low operating pressure and also proper arrangement of the cycle components (cycle configuration).

Keywords:

Olefin , MRCS , MultiStage , Optimal operation