Simulation of selective Para-diethyl benzene production process, economic evaluation and investigation of CO۲ emission

In this study, the selective para-diethyl benzene (PDEB) production process was simulated to find the optimal conditions for environ-economic concerns. Since the separation of the isomers of diethyl benzene is energy intensive, the optimal process conditions must be determined so that the highest selectivity and conversion of the reaction toward production of PDEB are achieved. In this context, the optimal conditions for the main part of the process, the reactor, was found at volume of ۸m۳, temperature of ۳۴۰°C and pressure of ۱atm. At these conditions, both the selectivity and conversion of PDEB were nearly ۹۹%. The separator after the reactor to separate the by-product of the reaction, water, and excess of feed, ethanol, was also simulated to find the best fuel and required energy for the lowest CO۲ emissions. Among the fuels that were investigated, natural gas (NG), with ۱۲.۱ KgCO۲/h, had the lowest amount of CO۲ emission. Finally, the Aspen economic analyzer was used to analyze the process. The rate of return (ROR) and the payback period (PBP) were calculated as ۰.۳۰۳ and ۲.۴۷, respectively.

Keywords:

Aspen Plus , Para-diethyl benzene , Simulation , Economic evaluation , CO۲ emission