Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

doi:10.1016/S1004-9541(13)60565-0

Chin.J.Chem.Eng. ›› 2013, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (9): 1015-1029.DOI: 10.1016/S1004-9541(13)60565-0

• PROCESS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING • Previous Articles Next Articles

Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

Ahmad Shamiri^1,2, Mohamed azlan Hussain^1,3, Farouq sabri Mjalli⁴, Navid Mostoufi⁵, Seyedahmad Hajimolana¹

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
2 Training Center, Razi Petrochemical Company, Bandar Imam 161, Iran;
3 UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
4 Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman;
5 Process Design and Simulation Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran 11155/4563, Iran

Received:2012-02-17 Revised:2013-01-12 Online:2013-10-01 Published:2013-09-28
Contact: Ahmad Shamiri
Supported by:
Supported by the Research Grants of the Research Council of Malaya

Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

Ahmad Shamiri^1,2, Mohamed azlan Hussain^1,3, Farouq sabri Mjalli⁴, Navid Mostoufi⁵, Seyedahmad Hajimolana¹

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
2 Training Center, Razi Petrochemical Company, Bandar Imam 161, Iran;
3 UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
4 Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman;
5 Process Design and Simulation Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran 11155/4563, Iran

通讯作者: Ahmad Shamiri
基金资助:
Supported by the Research Grants of the Research Council of Malaya

Abstract

Abstract: A two-phase dynamic model, describing gas phase propylene polymerization in a fluidized bed reactor, was used to explore the dynamic behavior and process control of the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature. The open loop analysis revealed the nonlinear behavior of the polypropylene fluidized bed reactor, justifying the use of an advanced control algorithm for efficient control of the process variables. In this case, a centralized model predictive control (MPC) technique was implemented to control the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature by manipulating the catalyst feed rate and cooling water flow rate respectively. The corresponding MPC controller was able to track changes in the setpoint smoothly for the reactor temperature and production rate while the setpoint tracking of the conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller was oscillatory with overshoots and obvious interaction between the reactor temperature and production rate loops. The MPC was able to produce controller moves which not only were well within the specified input constraints for both control variables, but also non-aggressive and sufficiently smooth for practical implementations. Furthermore, the closed loop dynamic simulations indicated that the speed of rejecting the process disturbances for the MPC controller were also acceptable for both controlled variables.

Key words: model predictive control, fluidized bed reactor, propylene polymerization, Ziegler-Natta catalyst

摘要： A two-phase dynamic model, describing gas phase propylene polymerization in a fluidized bed reactor, was used to explore the dynamic behavior and process control of the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature. The open loop analysis revealed the nonlinear behavior of the polypropylene fluidized bed reactor, justifying the use of an advanced control algorithm for efficient control of the process variables. In this case, a centralized model predictive control (MPC) technique was implemented to control the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature by manipulating the catalyst feed rate and cooling water flow rate respectively. The corresponding MPC controller was able to track changes in the setpoint smoothly for the reactor temperature and production rate while the setpoint tracking of the conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller was oscillatory with overshoots and obvious interaction between the reactor temperature and production rate loops. The MPC was able to produce controller moves which not only were well within the specified input constraints for both control variables, but also non-aggressive and sufficiently smooth for practical implementations. Furthermore, the closed loop dynamic simulations indicated that the speed of rejecting the process disturbances for the MPC controller were also acceptable for both controlled variables.

关键词: model predictive control, fluidized bed reactor, propylene polymerization, Ziegler-Natta catalyst

Ahmad Shamiri, Mohamed azlan Hussain, Farouq sabri Mjalli, Navid Mostoufi, Seyedahmad Hajimolana. Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors[J]. Chin.J.Chem.Eng., 2013, 21(9): 1015-1029.

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Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

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