Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: A Simulation Study of Operating Conditions of Straight Run Gasoline (SRG) Stabilizer column: A Consideration of Product Recovery and Energy Saving Options
by F.O. Chwukuma and K.K. Faniran

Abstract:
Distillation can contribute to more than 50% of plant operating cost. The operating conditions of distillation operation affect both product quality and energy efficiency of the process. The need to reduce the operating cost of existing units by optimization of the operating conditions of distillation has led to this study. The Straight Run Gasoline (SRG) stabilizer column was simulated using the Hysys simulator. The operating parameters investigated were the number of trays, feed tray location, feed pressure and temperature. The inputs for the simulation were obtained from design specifications and data from the plant. The simulation results obtained were verified against the actual plant data. Parametric studies were conducted by varying the values of the selected parameters, the responses of the component concentrations and energy requirement for each operating change were analyzed. The purity of SRG increased by 0.05%, when the feed tray location was moved from 7 to 5. The energy consumption by reboiler increased by 175kW as a direct result of the change. Similarly, the SRG purity increased by 2.9% when the number of trays was reduced to 12 from 15. This operating change caused the reboiler energy consumption to increase by 231kW. The reduction of the feed pressure reduced the reboiler heat load by 5.6 kW. The optimization of the operating conditions of the SRG stabilizer column is trade-off between energy usage and product purity as indicated by the results obtained.

Keywords: straight run gasoline, operating conditions, simulation, product purity, utilities

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