Optimization of Ammonia Synthesis Reactor using Genetic Algorithm
Systematic methods and tools for managing the complexity
Process Simulation and Optimization (T4-9P)
Keywords: Keywords: Optimization, Genetic Algorithm, Simulation, Ammonia Synthesis Reactor.
Abstract
In this paper Genetic Algorithm was employed as a powerful method for optimization of an industrial ammonia synthesis reactor. The reactor consists of four adiabatic catalytic fixed equipped beds with three quench flows and an internal heat exchanger. Momentum and continuity equations as well as energy balance equations are solved by finite element discretization in order to obtain temperature and concentration profiles. The reaction kinetics is assumed to have a Temkin-Pyzhev-type rate equation, whereas properties of the gaseous mixture are represented by the Redlich - Kwong equation of state formula. The optimization problem was defined based on plant data obtained from an operational ammonia reactor in Razi petrochemical complex at Bojnord-Iran. An optimum ratio of H2/N2 was obtained from numerical solution of the problem in which Micro Genetic Algorithm was employed. However, for better performance Simple Genetic Algorithm was used to find the quench flow rates configuration. The results show that the estimated optimum condition can improve the overall product yield by 4.5%.
Presented Wednesday 19, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Process Simulation and Optimization (T4-9P).
