Pilot study to select candidates for energy. Conservation research for the chemical industry. Final report

Every chemical process consists of one or more unit operations that effect physical changes in the raw materials, intermediates, or products. Many of these unit operations are used, singly or in combination, with unit processes to effect chemical changes. The same or different combinations of unit operations may be used to effect similar chemical changes in different chemical processes. This project was designed to study the functions and energy consumption of the various unit operations involved in several chemical processes and to identify areas where research could lead to energy-conservation options of broad utility to the chemical industry. Four energy-intensive chemical processes which produce ammonia and carbon dioxide, chlorine and caustic soda, carbon black, and ethylbenzene and styrene were selected for this study. Information was obtained from the literature on the structure of the industry sectors and the production technologies, and was used to determine material balances, process streams, temperatures, pressures, and energy requirements for the various unit operations. An energy matrix was prepared for each process, showing the function provided by and the energy involved in each unit operation or process. A variety of chemical engineers and chemists analyzed the energy matrices, flow charts, and other information for eachmore » process and made suggestions as to areas wherein research might be expected to produce energy-saving results.« less