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PROCESS DYNAMICS AND CONTROL (BKF3413)
SEM I 201516
ASSIGNMENT
Draw the Process & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) of MTBE production and explain the types of manipulated variables, controlled variables and
disturbances in each loop. Also describe the safety alarms and trips used in the P&ID.
MTBE is a colourless liquid of flow viscosity with a distinct odour having a boiling point of 55⁰C and a density of 0.74 g/mL. MTBE belongs to the ether class
of organic compounds and it is combustible. It is produced by Phillips Steam active Reforming (STAR) process. The process is described in Process Flow
Diagram (PFD) and the operating conditions are mentioned in Block Flow Diagram (BFD). STAR Process Reformer or Top Fired Steam Reformer is a tubular
fixed bed reactor that uses noble metal-promoted such as zinc and calcium aluminates as catalyst. STAR Process oxyreactor function as the distributor of
oxygen enriched air that diluted with steam that allow the oxygen to come into contact with the process medium at the of the catalyst bed. The oxyreactor
operates at adiabatic condition and no metallic metal exposed to the reaction zone. The oxyreactor is design according to safe and reliable specification
such as the effluent of the reactor enters the oxyreactor form the bottom to eliminate the external hot piping to the head of the reactor. Then, the
oxygen is admitted to the system and uniformly distributed to the directly over the catalyst surface via a proprietary oxygen distribution system.
More details about the Phillips Steam active Reforming (STAR) process can be obtained from the following references.
Bhasin, M., et al., Dehydrogenation and oxydehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins.Applied Catalysis A: General, 2001. 221(1): p. 397-419.
Pirngruber, G.D., Development of bifunctional catalysts for the direct conversion of nbutane to isobutene. 1999: Universiteit Twente.
