Process Modelling and Simulation Coursework 1B

Submission deadline: 4pm, the 1st of December, 2015 VIA SURRYLEARN.

THE GROUP SHOULD SUBMIT A SINGLE FILE (.doc or .pdf) CONTAINING BOTH
MODELS AND THE OBTAINED RESULTS. IN ADDITION ALL FOUR MATLAB
FILES MUST BE SUBMITTED.
Using the data collected about your production process (Coursework 1A) develop the
following models:
(1) Reactor (to be modelled by two members of the group)
Consider a tubular reactor for cumene production, followed by a separation units enabling
recycling of the unreacted benzene into the reactor. By ignoring the radial gradient and
assuming a flat velocity profile in a tube of constant cross section develop a lumped
parameter model with aim to predict the cumene production from this system. The separation
units following the reactor can be modelled as a single splitter.
Assumptions:
Zero heat loss (to the environment) occurs in the system.
The working volume of the reactor does not change during the operation.
Data:
The reactor is constructed with 622 tubes packed with a catalyst, which is metal with silica
support.
The tubes are 10 m long with 3.7 cm diameter.
The inlet and outlet flows of the reactor are the same rate of 2 m3/hour.
Other data: To be collected by yourself as needed (must be referenced).
(a) The lumped parameter model of the system (on paper). Include all the additional
assumptions you made. (Note: This section should include: Equations for mass and
energy balances; Explanation to each term in the equations; Notations; Units)
(b)Simulate the system for 1 hour using Matlab. Plot the temperature in the reactor against
the tube length. Explain your findings.
(c) Simulate the system for 1 hour using Matlab considering that the volumetric flow is
increased by 50%. Plot the temperature in the reactor against the tube length. Compare
your results with those in task (b). Explain your findings.
(Marking: Task (a) 50%; Task (b) 20%; Task (c) 20%; Format 10%)

Distillation column (to be modelled by two members of the group)

Consider a distillation column for separation of the mixture of benzene and cumene, Figure 1.
Develop a lumped parameter model with aim to predict the cumene production from this
system.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of a distillation column.

Assumptions:
The heat losses to and from the column are small and neglected.
The vapour holdup in each compartment is negligible compared to the liquid holdup.
Constant liquid holdup in each compartment (including reflux drum and column base) is
considered.
Constant molar overflow is assumed.
The liquids in each section are perfectly mixed. The liquids in the reboiler and in the column
base are perfectly mixed.
The relative volatility remains constant with time and throughout the column.
Each tray is 100% efficient (ideal or theoretical tray), which reveals that the outgoing liquid
and vapour streams are in equilibrium with each other.
The dynamics of the condenser and reboiler are neglected.
Data:
Feed flow rate is 3820 mol/min
Distillate flow rate is 1910 mol/min
Bottoms flow rate is 1910 mol/min
Other data: To be collected by yourself as needed (must be referenced).
(a) The lumped parameter model of the system (on paper). Include all the additional
assumptions you made. (Note: This section should include: Equations for mass and
energy balances; Explanation to each term in the equations; Notations; Units)
(b)Simulate the system for 0.03 hours using Matlab. Plot the concentration of the cumene and
benzene against time. Explain your findings.

(c) Simulate the system for 0.03 hours using Matlab considering that the reflux flow rate is
increased by 50%. Plot the concentration of the cumene and benzene against time.
Compare your results with those in task (b). Explain your findings.
(Marking: Task (a) 50%; Task (b) 20%; Task (c) 20%; Format 10%)