SIMULATION AND CONTROL OF A REACTOR FOR THE NON-CATALYTIC HYDROLYSIS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE TO ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Abstract

Dynamic Models for predicting the concentration profiles of a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor for the Non-Catalytic hydrolysis of Ethylene Oxide to Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) have been developed. The models validated by solving model equations using ode45 solver of Mathlab 7.5 with industrial plant data from Batiha, (2004a) had a deviation of 2.47% and 0.93% for ethylene oxide and water respectively when the model outputs were compared with the industrial plant outputs. Simulations of reactor to ( ) step changes in the inlet flowrates showed great effect on Mono-Ethylene Glycol production. The dynamic models were used for control studies by incorporating a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) feedback Controller. The closed loop response of the reactor output showed continuous oscillatory response with offset. Hence the controller parameters (proportional gain , Integral time and derivative time ) were tuned using the ‘On-Line Trial and Error Method’ implemented using MathLab Simulink to obtain optimum values that ensured quick stability of the closed-loop system, reduced or no oscillatory response and no offset. The optimum controller parameter: proportional gain , Integral time and derivative time  = 3 were obtained and the reactor attained stability in about 180 seconds

key words: simulation, control, Ethylene Glycol production, reactor model