1. Production of Propylene from Methanol
Florida Institute of Technology
Senior Design 2015/16
Milestone Meeting 1
Dr. Jonathan Whitlow
Khalid Almansoori, Abdullah Kurdi and Nasser Almakhmari
when knowledge becomes power

2. Agenda Work accomplished Problems and concerns encountered
Project Timeline
Work focus for the next milestone

3. Work Accomplished Proposal Corrections Expanded Literature Review
Simulation of Section 1 of the Plant (Reaction Section)

4. Proposal Corrections
Introduction changes, and updating figures - Khalid
PFD update/corrections - Nasser
Environmental and Safety “in progress” – Nasser
Reaction Chemistry, Novelty, Process Description - Abdullah

5. Expanded Literature Review
Simulation of Units
DME Reactor Reactions and Kinetics
MTP Reactor Reactions and Kinetics

6. Block Flow Diagram Fuel Gas Quench & Compression Section
Reactor Section
Quench & Compression Section
Product Fractionation
Fuel Gas
Propylene
Methanol
LPG
Gasoline
Water

7. Process Flow Diagram

8. Simulation of the Plant
Section 1 of the process “almost done”

9. Simulation of the Plant
Feed stream (#1): Total flow rate is based on the annual production of 500,000 tons of Propylene Based on the production of Sadara (a neighboring plant) which produces 400,000 tons annually(26) Temperature & Pressure(27)

10. Simulation of the Plant
Heat Exchanger (E-101):
Pressure drop of 0.1 bar (both shell and tube side)(Turton)
Outlet temperature(27)
U value(Turton)
High Pressure Steam (41 barg, 254 oC)(Turton)

11. Simulation of the Plant
Heat Exchanger E-102:
Currently modeled as a Heater block
Temperature of outlet stream(27)
Pressure Drop(Turton)

12. Simulation of the Plant
DME Reactor R-101:
Temperature & Pressure(27)
Equilibrium Reactor

13. Simulation of the Plant
MTP Reactor R-102:
Temperature & Pressure(27)
Stoichiometry Reactor
Chemical Reactions(28)

14. Problems and Concerns Encountered
MTP Reactor problems:
Reaction kinetics are incomplete
Too many side-reactions
Plug flow reactor cannot be used

15. Problems and Concerns Encountered
MTP Reactor concerns:
R-stoic is used since selectivity and total convergence is available
Distributing the convergence on the reactions and balancing the total outcome
Some products are being re-consumed as reactants in some side reactions

16. Project Timeline

17. Work Focus for Next Milestone
Comprehensive review of literature
Develop a detailed flow sheet
Complete simulation
Identify safety & environmental concerns
Review project timeline