Company: Dow Chemical Ibérica, S.L
Sector: Chemical
Product: Olefins
Production Capacity: 75 kta ethylene ; 305 kta propylene
Description
Typical process layout comprises a reaction section, a multi-step purification section (separation of target product from solvent, feedstock excess and by-products) and a solvent recycling section.
The reaction is carried out in batch mode involving an organic solvent, the separation section as well as the solvent recycling section comprises several thermal separation stages (distillation columns, special evaporator types).
key current parameters monitored and controlled: load, feedstock and product flows, temperatures, pressures, energy flows for large consumers
The process is controlled with a state-of-the-art DCS system that feeds all relevant data incl. historians into a real-time Process-Information-System (OSIsoft PI).
Include potential improvement acting over the monitoring and control of the process: 10% relative reduction in energy consumption is expected due to the existing energy management system STRUCTese (incl. extensive monitoring), no further savings foreseeable
Challenges and expected improvements: as part of the C.I.P. Climate Check a systematic screening of energy efficiency improvements has been recently performed and all feasible improvement measures are currently being implemented.
Trace components are decisive for the product specifications, thus their formation should be controlled.
Include potential improvement acting over the monitoring and control of the process: 10% relative reduction in energy consumption is expected due to the existing energy management system STRUCTese (incl. extensive monitoring), no further savings foreseeable
Challenges and expected improvements: as part of the C.I.P. Climate Check a systematic screening of energy efficiency improvements has been recently performed and all feasible improvement measures are currently being implemented.
Trace components are decisive for the product specifications, thus their formation should be controlled.
What is Cracking?
A cracker is a chemical complex in which gaseous and/or liquid feedstocks are converted, primarily into ethylene.
To explain its functioning, Dow Chemical Ibérica, project partner of TOP-REF, has elaborated a video that includes a description of its main parts and phases, and how it is integrated into an ethylene production plant.