Simulation and optimisation of industrial steam reformers. Development of models for both primary and secondary steam reformers and implementation of optimisation to improve both the performance of existing equipment and the design of future equipment.

摘要

Traditionally the reactor is recognised as the `heart' of a chemical process system andudhence the focus on this part of the system is usually quite detailed. Steam reforming,udhowever, due to the `building block' nature of its reaction products is unusual andudgenerally is perceived as a `utility' to other reaction processes and hence the focus is drawn " towards the 'main' reaction processes of the system. Additionally as a `mature' process,udsteam reforming is often treated as sufficiently defined for the requirements within theudoverall chemical process.udFor both primary and secondary steam reformers several models of varying complexityudwere developed which allowed assessment of issues raised about previous models andudmodel improvements; drawing on the advancements in modelling that have not onlyudallowed the possibility of increasing the scope of simulations but also increased confidence udin the simulation results. Despite the complex nature of the steam reforming systems, audsurprisingly simplistic model is demonstrated to perform well, however, to improve onudexisting designs and maximise the capability of current designs it is shown that moreudcomplex models are required.ududAfter model development the natural course is to optimisation. This is a powerful tooludwhich must be used carefully as significant issues remain around its employment. Despiteudthe remaining concerns, some simple optimisation cases showed the potential of the modelsuddeveloped in this work and although not exhaustive demonstrated the benefits ofudoptimisation.