IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v13y2020i14p3753-d387728.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exergetic Evaluation of an Ethylene Refrigeration Cycle

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Amaral

    (Braskem, Rua Eteno, Polo Petroquímico, Camaçari, Bahia 42816-200, Brazil)

  • Alex Santos

    (Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil)

  • Ewerton Calixto

    (Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil)

  • Fernando Pessoa

    (Computational Modeling Department, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia 41650-010, Brazil)

  • Delano Santana

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40210-630, Brazil)

Abstract

The production of light olefins by selective steam cracking is an energy-intensive process, and ethylene and propylene refrigeration cycles are key parts of it. The objective of this study was to identify opportunities for energy savings in an ethylene refrigeration cycle through an exergetic analysis. Two main causes of lower operational efficiency were identified: (1) Lower polytropic efficiency of the refrigerant compressor and (2) operating with the compressor mini-flow valve open to ensure reliability. The evaluation showed that the amount of irreversibilities generated by the cycle in operation is 22% higher than that predicted by the original design, which represents a 14% lower exergy efficiency. There is a potential savings of 0.20 MW in the cycle’s energy consumption with the implementation of the following improvements: recover refrigerant compressor efficiency by performing maintenance on the equipment and optimize the flow distribution between the recycle valve, the level control valve, and the temperature control valve.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Amaral & Alex Santos & Ewerton Calixto & Fernando Pessoa & Delano Santana, 2020. "Exergetic Evaluation of an Ethylene Refrigeration Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:14:p:3753-:d:387728
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/14/3753/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/14/3753/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jahromi, Farid Sadeghian & Beheshti, Masoud & Rajabi, Razieh Fereydon, 2018. "Comparison between differential evolution algorithms and response surface methodology in ethylene plant optimization based on an extended combined energy - exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1114-1134.
    2. Jesús Catalán-Gil & Daniel Sánchez & Rodrigo Llopis & Laura Nebot-Andrés & Ramón Cabello, 2018. "Energy Evaluation of Multiple Stage Commercial Refrigeration Architectures Adapted to F-Gas Regulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-31, July.
    3. Fábrega, F.M. & Rossi, J.S. & d'Angelo, J.V.H., 2010. "Exergetic analysis of the refrigeration system in ethylene and propylene production process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1224-1231.
    4. Zhou, Nan & Fridley, David & Khanna, Nina Zheng & Ke, Jing & McNeil, Michael & Levine, Mark, 2013. "China's energy and emissions outlook to 2050: Perspectives from bottom-up energy end-use model," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 51-62.
    5. Damoon Aghazadeh Dokandari & S. M. S. Mahmoudi & M. Bidi & Ramin Haghighi Khoshkhoo & Marc A. Rosen, 2018. "First and Second Law Analyses of Trans-critical N 2 O Refrigeration Cycle Using an Ejector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Paride Gullo, 2018. "Advanced Thermodynamic Analysis of a Transcritical R744 Booster Refrigerating Unit with Dedicated Mechanical Subcooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, November.
    7. Ahamed, J.U. & Saidur, R. & Masjuki, H.H., 2011. "A review on exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1593-1600, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Michal Haida & Rafal Fingas & Wojciech Szwajnoch & Jacek Smolka & Michal Palacz & Jakub Bodys & Andrzej J. Nowak, 2019. "An Object-Oriented R744 Two-Phase Ejector Reduced-Order Model for Dynamic Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-24, April.
    2. Li, Xi & Yu, Biying, 2019. "Peaking CO2 emissions for China's urban passenger transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    3. Chen, Yuhong & Lyu, Yanfeng & Yang, Xiangdong & Zhang, Xiaohong & Pan, Hengyu & Wu, Jun & Lei, Yongjia & Zhang, Yanzong & Wang, Guiyin & Xu, Min & Luo, Hongbin, 2022. "Performance comparison of urea production using one set of integrated indicators considering energy use, economic cost and emissions’ impacts: A case from China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    4. Frank Bruno & Martin Belusko & Edward Halawa, 2019. "CO 2 Refrigeration and Heat Pump Systems—A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-39, August.
    5. Murthy, Anarghya Ananda & Krishan, Gopal & Shenoy, Praveen & Patil, Ishwaragouda S, 2024. "Theoretical, CFD modelling and experimental investigation of a four-intersecting-vane rotary expander," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    6. Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Hosseini, Seyed Mohsen & Sheikhpour, Mojgan & Mahian, Omid & Yan, Wei-Mon & Wongwises, Somchai, 2018. "Applications of eco-friendly refrigerants and nanorefrigerants: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 91-99.
    7. Yuyao Sun & Jinfeng Wang & Jing Xie, 2021. "Performance Optimizations of the Transcritical CO 2 Two-Stage Compression Refrigeration System and Influences of the Auxiliary Gas Cooler," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, September.
    8. Yuan, Jiahai & Lei, Qi & Xiong, Minpeng & Guo, Jingsheng & Hu, Zheng, 2016. "The prospective of coal power in China: Will it reach a plateau in the coming decade?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 495-504.
    9. Rauf, Abdul & Zhang, Jin & Li, Jinkai & Amin, Waqas, 2018. "Structural changes, energy consumption and carbon emissions in China: Empirical evidence from ARDL bound testing model," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 194-206.
    10. Wu, Xi & Yang, Zhao & Wang, Xiaoming & Lin, Yulong, 2013. "Experimental and theoretical study on the influence of temperature and humidity on the flammability limits of ethylene (R1150)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 185-191.
    11. Romero Gómez, J. & Ferreiro Garcia, R. & De Miguel Catoira, A. & Romero Gómez, M., 2013. "Magnetocaloric effect: A review of the thermodynamic cycles in magnetic refrigeration," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 74-82.
    12. Yannan Zhou & Jixia Huang & Mingxiang Huang & Yicheng Lin, 2019. "The Driving Forces of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Emissions Have Spatial Spillover Effects in Inner Mongolia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, May.
    13. BoroumandJazi, G. & Rismanchi, B. & Saidur, R., 2013. "A review on exergy analysis of industrial sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 198-203.
    14. Li, Sheng & Jin, Hongguang & Gao, Lin & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2014. "Exergy analysis and the energy saving mechanism for coal to synthetic/substitute natural gas and power cogeneration system without and with CO2 capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 552-561.
    15. Joshua Sunday Riti & Deyong Song & Yang Shu & Miriam Kamah & Agya Adi Atabani, 2018. "Does renewable energy ensure environmental quality in favour of economic growth? Empirical evidence from China’s renewable development," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(5), pages 2007-2030, September.
    16. Linwei Pan & Minglei Zhu & Ningning Lang & Tengfei Huo, 2020. "What Is the Amount of China’s Building Floor Space from 1996 to 2014?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-17, August.
    17. Chuanglin Fang & Haimeng Liu & Guangdong Li & Dongqi Sun & Zhuang Miao, 2015. "Estimating the Impact of Urbanization on Air Quality in China Using Spatial Regression Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-23, November.
    18. Albà, C.G. & Alkhatib, I.I.I. & Llovell, F. & Vega, L.F., 2023. "Hunting sustainable refrigerants fulfilling technical, environmental, safety and economic requirements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    19. Ma, Minda & Cai, Wei & Cai, Weiguang, 2018. "Carbon abatement in China's commercial building sector: A bottom-up measurement model based on Kaya-LMDI methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PA), pages 350-368.
    20. Ignacio López Paniagua & Ángel Jiménez Álvaro & Javier Rodríguez Martín & Celina González Fernández & Rafael Nieto Carlier, 2019. "Comparison of Transcritical CO 2 and Conventional Refrigerant Heat Pump Water Heaters for Domestic Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:14:p:3753-:d:387728. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.