Papers by M.W.M. van Goethem
In this paper the results are presented on the quest for an intensified steam cracking process. T... more In this paper the results are presented on the quest for an intensified steam cracking process. The main focus is to improve the efficiency of the steam cracking process. The first part of the investigation is to examine which of the current available processes is close to the ideal steam cracking process. Two possible technologies have potential, namely the shock
292259 Linking SPYRO Rigorous Stream Cracking Model
Furnace simulations are currently used in all layers of process control from planning and schedul... more Furnace simulations are currently used in all layers of process control from planning and scheduling down to the APC layer. However in the DCS regression models are still present for process optimization. Typically the purpose of these regressions is to predict the severity on a continuous basis to allow immediate feedback to the temperature control to maintain a constant severity. Most of the time these regressions are developed when the furnace was taken in operation and are never updated afterwards. Any changes in the furnace geometry, operating condition or feed stock are not taken into account. In this paper the regression model in DCS level was replaced with SPYRO® furnace simulation. The furnace simulation is connected to DCS and receives real-time operating condition and feed composition. This configuration eliminates the need of having series of regression models for each feed and operating condition, as the furnace simulation can incorporate those changes and deliver more ...
Ideal Chemical Conversion Concept for the Industrial Production of Ethene from Hydrocarbons
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2007
ABSTRACT This review considers and evaluates alternative process concepts for the production of e... more ABSTRACT This review considers and evaluates alternative process concepts for the production of ethene on an industrial scale. A fundamental perspective is chosen, focusing on the ability to create a near-optimum conversion path from hydrocarbon (C2+) feed to ethene. The critical conversion aspects are quickly achieving a high temperature at a low hydrocarbon pressure and, after a short reaction time, arresting the composition with a high ethene content by rapid cooling. The features of an ideal process involve a maximum olefin yield, no remains of energy carriers or auxiliary chemicals in the product, minimal ecological impact, minimum energy input per unit product, high availability, and a low degree of complexity of the reaction section, The majority of the current ethene production processes are an evolutionary redesign from earlier existing processes that is able to add a large amount of thermal energy in a short period of time and at elevated temperature levels in the range of 600-1200°C, enabled by better high-temperature-resistant materials. The process concepts reviewed in this paper are examined from a different point of view - namely, how well they meet the criteria of the ideal process. The specific energy requirements of the processes are limited in the available literature; therefore, these requirements are systematically determined with Aspen Plus software and the aid of SPYRO for an ethene plant with a fixed ethane feed. A wide variety of process concepts is covered: dehydrogenation, direct heating, and indirect heating. Although none of the reported processes fulfils all ideals, the new combination of the adapted firing furnace with ceramic reactors internals and the shock wave reactor come close to it.
Equation-based SPYRO® model and solver for the simulation of the steam cracking process
Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2001
... 1 Cor van Leeuwen passed away during the project on 28 February 1999. Corresponding Author Co... more ... 1 Cor van Leeuwen passed away during the project on 28 February 1999. Corresponding Author Contact Information Corresponding author. ... All rights reserved. Computers & Chemical Engineering Volume 25, Issues 4-6, 1 May 2001, Pages 905-911. ...
Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 2008
To develop new reactor options for thermal cracking of ethane or other light hydrocarbons to lowe... more To develop new reactor options for thermal cracking of ethane or other light hydrocarbons to lower olefins a fundamental process synthesis approach is taken. Firstly, an optimal reaction path and conditions are targeted, starting from a mechanistic reaction network. Secondly, to implement the optimal reaction path the reactor geometry and equipment are designed. This contribution focuses on the development of a targeting approach, for which a new distributive reaction-mixing synthesis model is formulated and applied. The mixing kernel in the model provides freedom to redistribute the reaction mixture along a continuous reaction coordinate to optimize product yield. The model reproduces the results for the Van de Vusse reaction network as obtained by the attainable region theory. When applied to a small reaction network for the conversion of ethane into ethene, it reconfirms the existing result that for this network the plug flow mode at maximum temperature and minimum pressure gives the optimal olefin yield.
The steam cracking process is an important asset in the hydrocarbon processing industry. The main... more The steam cracking process is an important asset in the hydrocarbon processing industry. The main products are lower olefins and hydrogen, with ethylene being the world's largest volume organic chemical at a worldwide capacity of ~ 120 million tonnes per year. Feed stocks are hydrocarbons such as: ethane, LPG, naphtha's, gas condensates and gas oil. The research goal of this
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Papers by M.W.M. van Goethem