Enhancing CO₂ Conversion to Methanol Using Dynamic Optimization, Applied on Shell Temperature and Inlet Hydrogen During Four Years Operation of Methanol Plant

Abstract

The investigation of dynamic optimal policies for an industrial methanol reactor experiencing exothermic, reversible reactions is the subject of this study. Optimal values of inlet hydrogen mole fraction and shell temperature have been investigated for a heterogeneous methanol reactor. Optimization has been carried out by employing the methanol production rate (MPR) as an objective function. Optimal history profiles for shell temperature (T_shell) and hydrogen inlet mole fraction has been obtained during 4 years of operation. It was found that applying obtained optimal profiles of H₂ and T_shell provides a 1.4% production benefit compared to an existing operating plant policy. This is equivalent to 1,400,000 USD during a four year operation period.

Keywords:

• CO₂ reduction
• dynamic optimization
• methanol reactor

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of Iranian National Petrochemical Company—R&D and National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.