Optimization Of The Oxidation Of Sulphur Dioxide In An Existing Multi-Bed Adiabatic Reactor

Abstract

<p> The sulphur dioxide converter of the contact sulphuric acid plant ~f the Hamilton Works of Canadian Industries Ltd., is optimized using the so2 conversion as the objective function to be maximized. The simulation model used is fitted to the plant data. The number of beds, the inlet temperatures, the catalyst bed depths and the air addition are the variables considered in this work. The effect due to the imposition of a constraint on the system is also examined. </p> <p> Four integration techniques are studied to solve the set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations that simulates the transformation in a bed. The Runge-Kutta third-order is found to be the most efficient. </p> <p> Four optimization techniques, namely, dynamic programming, gradient search, direct search of Hooke and Jeeves and discrete maximum principle, are used. Their applicability and efficiency are compared. </p> <p> A very flat response (conversion) surface is found in the neighbourhood of the optimum. </p> <p> The optimal operating conditions are compared with the simulation of the C.I.L. operation. The reachability of these optimal conditions in the plant is also considered. </p>