Project Synopsis
Develop a dynamic simulation of a batch flash stripping operation (stripping vessel including the vessel jacket and overhead condenser) to understand the required stripping time, equipment limitations, and to inform the selection of heat transfer equipment and heat transfer fluids for a silicone polymers and lubricants manufacturer.
Project Summary
Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) was contracted by the client, a silicone polymers and lubricants manufacturer, to perform dynamic simulation of a batch flash stripping operation to understand the required stripping time, equipment limitations, and to inform the selection of heat transfer equipment and heat transfer fluids. PROCESS modeled the batch stripping using CHEMCAD’s dynamic simulation software. A model of the proposed stripping vessel (including the vessel jacket) and overhead condenser was developed using equipment and process information provided by the client. PROCESS provided the following dynamic simulation information to the client:
- Predicted flow rates through time, including overhead vapor and condensate rates
- Required heat duties of the various heat transfer equipment
- Required vacuum pump capacity at various stripping steps
- Expected composition of the stripped polymer through time.
The dynamic model allowed the client to understand process bottlenecks and provided insight into sizing the overhead condenser and vacuum pump. Various side studies were performed after the dynamic simulation was presented, such as determining optimal vacuum and nitrogen sparge rates.
As part of the project, the client requested that PROCESS evaluate various heat transfer fluids for use in the stripping jacket and overhead condenser. Using CHEMCAD and Excel based models, PROCESS provided a relative assessment of various heat transfer fluids for the stripping system. Due to the need to provide both heating and cooling, PROCESS recommended a less viscous heat transfer fluid with a lower temperature rating than the client had previously used at their site. Due to the client’s hesitancy to operate this new heat transfer fluid above its flash point, PROCESS performed a literature review of the recommended operating envelope for heat transfer oils and made recommendations to operate the system safely. Additionally, PROCESS performed the following tasks related to heat transfer systems:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of various jacket styles (conventional, half pipe, dimpled) for the batch stripper vessel
- Evaluate the heat up and cool down times for the batch stripping vessel with various heat transfer fluids
- Evaluate the heat up and cool down times for the upstream glass lined batch reactor with various heat transfer fluids
- Evaluate the effect of polymer viscosity on reactor/stripper heat up and cool down times.
Industry Type
Lubricants Manufacturing
Utilized Skills
- Dynamic simulation development
- Heat transfer analysis
- Process equipment evaluation.