Energy saving and modifications in the methanol process, using the NLP model optimization

The opportunities for additional profit depend very much on the existing plant and energy system. Heat and power integration can reduce fuel usage in chemical processes. Nonlinear programming contains equations which enable structural and parametric optimization. The NLP model is formulated using an optimum energy target of process integration and electricity generation using a gas turbine with separator. The reactor acts as a combustion chamber of the gas turbine plant, producing a lot of energy. The simultaneous NLP approach can account for capital cost, integration of combined heat and power, process modification and additional production of trade-offs, and can thus yield a better solution. The combined production of electricity, heat and chemical products can lead to better process efficiency. The methanol plant was optimized using a mathematical nonlinear programming model by including an additional flowrate of hydrogen in crude methanol recycle and increasing the methanol production by 2,5%. The electricity can be generated in methanol recycle using a gas turbine. The total additional profit is 2,5 MEUR/a