REACTOR SIMULATION

Build the flowsheet, add block and feed stream conditions to the Cumene production.

What will be the effect of the Recycle stream´s total molar flow on the Product stream´s molar
flow production (Cumene)?
VARY 1 STREAMPR
SPLIT
S4
FRAC
FRAC
LBMOL/HR
Row/Case Status
1 OK 0 37.8567368
2 OK 0.1 37.6527899
3 OK 0.2 37.4520845
4 OK 0.3 37.2545657
5 OK 0.4 37.0601452
6 OK 0.5 36.8687093
7 OK 0.6 36.6801828
8 OK 0.7 36.4944913
9 OK 0.8 36.3115765
10 OK 0.9 36.1313479
11 OK 1 35.9537555

Since we picked the stream number 4 which does not recirculate, the sensitivity analysis stays that
at a molar fraction of 0 we have the optimal production of cumene, in which this case is 37.86
lbmol/hr.

What is the composition of the product stream?

The composition of the product stream is:

Benzene 7%, Propylene 5% and Cumene 88%. The reactants are consumed, and the product is the
main component of the production stream.

In the optimum conditions (maximum production of Cumene),

What is the heat duty of the Cooler block?

The heat duty is -2.46E06 Btu/hr

What is the temperature in the Cool out-stream?

The temperature of the cool-out stream is 54.4 °C

Using an Equilibrium reactor

Is it possible to upgrade the maximum production of Cumene?

When we change from an stoichiometric reactor (RStoic) to an equilibrium reactor (REquil),
considering the same feed composition for the reactants, the mole fraction of the cumene as
product diminishes when we compare the stream product of the separator (from 88% to 74%).
Comparing the same parameters respect to the output stream of the reactor, the production of
cumene decreases from 84% to 54%.

RStoic

REquil stream results

Write your conclusions.

According to the results, the stoichiometric reactor (RStoic) generated more cumene as product.
This means that changing the reactor to an equilibrium type, the maximum production of cumene
was not upgraded. The sensitivity analysis gave us a perspective of the optimal production of
cumene. This same analysis can be applied to the second simulation to obtain the optimal molar
fraction for the production of cumene.