Simulation and heat integration of refrigerant cycle of natural gas liquids refinery using analysis

Subject Areas : Fluid Mechanic

Vahid Monfared ¹ , Majid Vakili ² , Saeed Daneshmand ³

1 - Young Researchers and Elite Club, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
2 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Majlesi Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
3 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Majlesi Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

Received: 2019-09-25 Accepted : 2020-03-05 Published : 2020-02-20

Keywords: Exergy, Aspen Hysis, Aspen Energy Analyzer, Bar graph, Pinch,

Abstract :

Recently, with reducing the energy resources and increasing the energy costs (price), the energy saving has been attracted any more. Pinch analysis of an industrial process has been employed to identify pinch point and energy price together with heat exchanger network cost. To do so, we simulate the refinery process using Hysis software and analyze the results with Aspen Energy Analyzer. After validating the model using field data, simulated model was studied. The results showed with 1.7E04 $ investment, 31492$ will be returned annually using modified retrofit network. The payback time would be 180 days. In this paper, the Pinch Point is investigated and analyzed at various temperatures using Aspen Hysis software and Aspen Energy Analyzer software. In addition, economic calculations related to operating costs (energy) and total costs have been done. With the modification of the above-mentioned heat exchanger network, notable saving will be earned for the mentioned organization. So, the return period of capital will be approximately 180 days (less than one year) for the mentioned organization in this model.