Flexible heat exchanger network design of an ethanol processor for hydrogen production. A model-based multi-objective optimization approach
This work addresses the optimal design of a flexible heat exchanger network using model-based optimization, applied to hydrogen production by means of an ethanol steam reforming process. High efficiencies are obtained at different hydrogen production levels ranging from 25 to 100% of a nominal outpu...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2016 |
| País: | Argentina |
| Institución: | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas |
| Repositorio: | CONICET Digital (CONICET) |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/46980 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/11336/46980 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Ethanol Processor Energy Efficiency Flexible Heat Exchanger Network Hydrogen https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.4 https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2 |
| Sumario: | This work addresses the optimal design of a flexible heat exchanger network using model-based optimization, applied to hydrogen production by means of an ethanol steam reforming process. High efficiencies are obtained at different hydrogen production levels ranging from 25 to 100% of a nominal output. System structure, heat exchanger sizing, and operation conditions are simultaneously settled, ensuring both operational feasibility and optimality. The system involves a reforming reactor, vaporization and reheating equipment, combustors, and a heat exchanger network system. A multi-period nonlinear optimization problem (NLP) was formulated to account for the production level distribution. Equipment sizing constraints and structural constraints link the different scenarios. The trade-off between area and efficiency is analyzed using a multi-objective epsilon-constraint approach. Models were developed in the GAMS environment. The resulting solutions, for the maximum area case, maintain alcohol combustion at low levels showing efficiencies around 63% in each operational level. Pareto Optimal diagram shows that a 1% reduction of efficiency allows a 50% decrease in total required heat exchanger area by 50%. |
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