(598h) Application of Computer Simulation and Optimization for the Increase of Xylenes Production Efficiency

This work is devoted to the study of the process of orthoxylene and paraxylene production at an operating oil refinery. Xylenes are valuable products used as raw materials for production of polymeric materials. Demand for xylenes increases by 6,5% annually, that’s why the task of increasing their output is topical.

The aim of this work is to develop a virtual analyzer that allows to predict the composition of products and to calculate optimal parameters of the process.

The process under study was simulated in Aspen Hysys software in order to analyze it. The model was validated by the comparison of calculated and actual parameters. 

A statistic model of the process was developed to predict the composition of products and to make optimization calculations. The software (virtual analyzer) was developed based on the results of process optimization.

Work of developed virtual analyzer was verified on an operational plant, yielding an increase in orthoxylene and paraxylene output by 8%.