A novel procedure for the synthesis of reactors network coupled with heat exchangers network (RHENS

This paper presents a novel procedure that is based on combination of a rigorous simulation model and a robust optimization algorithm for the synthesis of reactors network and also simultaneous synthesis of reactor and heat exchangers network. The model comprises CSTR and plug flow reactors and 3 types of heat exchangers. Genetic Algorithm as one of efficient global optimizing algorithms has been used as optimization method and automation capability of a commercialized simulator has been applied. The simulations and rigorous calculation through simulator exploit the complete process modeling accuracy without the necessity of simplifications due to restrictions imposed by the optimization method or assumption because of complexity of equipments design equations or variation of physical properties while changing in temperature or pressure or even nonlinearity of reaction rates. Moreover characteristics of the method make it suitable for large scale synthesis problems. The synthesis method is applied on a case study of OCM reaction. The obtained results demonstrate the suitability of the present method for process optimization with improvements better than those reported in literature for this case study

Keywords:

process synthesis , reactors network synthesis , heat exchangers network synthesis , genetic algorithm , optimization