Three-Phase Reactor Model for Simulation of Methylacetylene and Propadiene Selective Hydrogenation Process

In this study, an effort was performed to improve methylacetylene and propadiene (MAPD) hydrogenation process with investigation of operating conditions which significantly influence the reactor performance. For this purpose, the operational parameters including concentration of components in the feedstock as well as hydrogen and diluent (recycle stream) flow rates were optimized via differential evolution (DE) technique to maximize propylene (PR) production, to minimize green oil formation as well as to control PR selectivity. Then a comparison was made between the optimized and non-optimized (design) conditions. The results indicate that in optimal conditions, PR production rate increases 5.3 ton/day, while the green oil formation as well as propane (PN) production, as unwanted byproducts are reduced to 0.05 and 0.85 ton/day in comparison with the design conditions. Reduction of undesirable byproducts and enhancement of propylene production rate, demonstrate superiority of the optimized conditions to design conditions.