Technology for processing natural energy resources based on the concept of optimal chemical engineering system organization

Abstract

The problem of coordinating the target processes within a virtual system followed by the addition of corresponding heat exchanger and utility elements to the above processes has been considered. The problem has been solved using a sequential synthesis algorithm that involves selecting the target processes of the system, their optimal coordination within the system that combines the target processes, the selection of the heat exchanger elements and optimal load distribution, and the selection of optimal system topology. The functioning of the algorithm has been demonstrated based on an example of a unified system comprised of lignite gasification and the water-gas shift reaction of the synthesis gas in order to achieve the key component ratio H₂: CO = 2: 1 for the production of methanol and higher alcohols. A specific feature of the algorithm proposed for the example under consideration is that it does not have feedback, since optimal solutions are chosen at every step of the process of increasing the system complexity element-by-element according to the corresponding organization criteria, which take this process into account.