Exergetic Evaluation of an Ethylene Refrigeration Cycle

Francisco Amaral, Alex Santos, Ewerton Calixto, Fernando Pessoa and Delano Santana
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Francisco Amaral: Braskem, Rua Eteno, Polo Petroquímico, Camaçari, Bahia 42816-200, Brazil
Alex Santos: Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil
Ewerton Calixto: Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil
Fernando Pessoa: Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil
Delano Santana: Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40210-630, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: The production of light olefins by selective steam cracking is an energy-intensive process, and ethylene and propylene refrigeration cycles are key parts of it. The objective of this study was to identify opportunities for energy savings in an ethylene refrigeration cycle through an exergetic analysis. Two main causes of lower operational efficiency were identified: (1) Lower polytropic efficiency of the refrigerant compressor and (2) operating with the compressor mini-flow valve open to ensure reliability. The evaluation showed that the amount of irreversibilities generated by the cycle in operation is 22% higher than that predicted by the original design, which represents a 14% lower exergy efficiency. There is a potential savings of 0.20 MW in the cycle’s energy consumption with the implementation of the following improvements: recover refrigerant compressor efficiency by performing maintenance on the equipment and optimize the flow distribution between the recycle valve, the level control valve, and the temperature control valve.

Keywords: exergy; refrigeration cycles; process monitoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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