Design and Optimization of the Methanol-to-Olefin Process. Part II: Comparison of Different Methods for Propylene/Propane Separation
Journal
Chemical Engineering and Technology
Journal Volume
39
Journal Issue
12
Pages
2304-2311
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Abstract Design and optimization of different methods for propylene/propane separation in the downstream of the methanol‐to‐olefin process are investigated. Since propylene and propane have similar boiling points, a large number of trays and high energy are required when separating by a traditional single column with industrial low‐pressure steam as reboiler heat source (TRA‐LPS case). Some alternatives are studied, including the traditional column using waste hot water as heat resource (TRA‐HW), implementation of a vapor recompression cycle (VRC) configuration, and extractive distillation (ED) with acetonitrile solution as entrainer. Compared to TRA‐LPS, the total annual cost can be reduced significantly for TRA‐HW and ED and to a minor extent for VCR. The required number of trays for separation is also clearly reduced for the three cases. It can be concluded that TRA‐HW and ED are both promising alternatives for this separation.
SDGs
Type
journal article