Simulation-based multi-objective optimization of the product separation process within an MTP plant

This work proposes a simulation-based multi-objective optimization model for the operation of the product separation process in a methanol to propylene (MTP) plant, striving to enhance the system energy utilization eciency. The formation of byproducts including an oxygenated hydrocarbon, dimethyl ether (DME), makes the product rening process highly energy-intensive, not only because that the various hydrocarbon byproducts require a long train of distillation columns but also owing to the fact that DME forms azeotrope with product propylene. Furthermore, the formation of oxygenated DME byproduct varies with the catalyst activity, which makes the system more complex. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it proposes a novel way of DME removal with responsive consumption of extractant methanol according to the DME concentration during one production period. In this way, the energy consumption of the condenser and reboiler of the methanol recovery unit can be expected to decrease by 61.5% and 37.6...