5 replies to this topic

[Ankur Shah]

Dear Friends,

I am currently working on the separation of propane - propylene through distillation.

I am mainly interested in the use of pervaporation to carry out this separation.

In order to obtain a basis for my calculations, I have come across the system of using vapour recompression to reduce energy costs by integrating the condenser and reboiler.

I have come across many articles which quote the advantages of using this system over simple distillation. However, I have not seen details about any plant currently in operation using vapour recompression.

Can someone kindly tell me if this system is used in the industry? If not, then what are the reasons for which it is not. Kindly provide any reference as I would like to state the same in my Thesis.

Thanking you,

Ankur Shah

P.S: I have attached an image of the vapour recompression system that I have.

Attached Files

•  Vapor_Recompression.bmp   630.55KB   100 downloads

[pleckner]

Yes, vapor recompression is used in the industry. I have used vapor recompression on double effect evaporator systems.

Vapor recompression systems are a good choice if steam costs are high relative to electrical costs or steam availability is low.

[suhas]

At one of the site of Reliance Indiustries Ltd the Vapor recompression system is used and it is used for propane propylene speration as you have asked.

[Ankur Shah]

Hi!

@ pleckner, suhas: Thank you for your replies!

@ pleckner: I was more interested in the propane-propylene separation system.

Can someone give me reasons why a company would not use this in the industry?

Thanks,

Ankur

[pleckner]

It doesn't matter what the system is. Vapor recompression can always be used. It's a matter of the cost of the compressor and its control system, maintenance on the compressor, power costs compared to the cost and/or the availability of steam. If steam is abundant and relatively cheap, it is always preferable to the complexity of a vapor recompression system. It isn't more complicated than this.

[suhas]

Hi ankur,
In case of C3-C3= splitter the Reflux ratio required will be too high for high purity and in that case it will turn out in Hugh amt of condensor duty as well as the reboiler duty which increases your operating cost, while if you use the vapor compression system it increases your investment but saves on the operating coast, But remember that use of this system leads to complication in process, particularly the control system of the column, there is always the tread of in this system like operating cost total investment made and the complication inbuilt in the process.

Hi!

@ pleckner, suhas: Thank you for your replies!

@ pleckner: I was more interested in the propane-propylene separation system.

Can someone give me reasons why a company would not use this in the industry?

Thanks,

Ankur