Optimization of energy consumption in methanol unit using pinch technology and modification of heat exchanger arrangement

Subject Areas : Journal of New Applied and Computational Findings in Mechanical Systems

Payam Barzegar ¹ , Amin Ahmadpour ² , Hamid Kazemi Esfeh ³ , Mohammad Sharei ⁴ , S.M. Peyghambarzadeh ⁵

1 - National Petrochemical Company, Research Institute
2 - National Petrochemical Company, Research Institute
3 - Department of Chemical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran
4 - Department of Chemical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran
5 - Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr branch

Received: 2022-04-27 Accepted : 2022-06-20 Published : 2022-05-22

Keywords: Pinch Technology, ASPEN software, Energy optimization, Methanol unit,

Abstract :

The main goal of this paper is the use of pinch technology and revision in heat exchanger network layout to optimize energy consumption in a methanol unit of a petrochemical company. First of all, the process flow diagrams (PFD) and the current state of the heat exchangers network were studied. Then, the necessary data were analyzed, process heat exchangers and their characteristics were compiled and the physical properties of the streamlines at different temperatures were calculated. Then, the target network was distinguished and the network was modified and pinch analysis was performed using ASPEN HYSYS software and ASPEN ENERGY ANALAYZER software. Finally, different scenarios based on pinch analysis were compiled and feasibility, computational, process and operational analysis was performed. Finally, by calculating energy efficiency in each scenario, only one scenario was selected and introduced as the best scenario. According to the selected scenario, the E-1001exchanger, which uses low pressure steam to heat the incoming feed gas, is transferred to another location in order to not only reduce the steam consumption, but also reduce the unit's power consumption by reducing the air fan load. The profit from this scenario was approximately equal to 1.5 billion tomans per year.

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