Optimization and advanced control of the cyclohexanol reactor at Rhodia’s Chemical plant in Paulínia

• Grant number: 95/09647-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE
• Duration: August 01, 1996 - June 30, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Grantee: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Host Company: Rhodia
• City: Campinas

Abstract

The cyclohexanol reactor is an important piece of equipment for several chemical routines at the Paulinia Chemical Plant (SP), as cyclohexanol is an intermediate item for a great number of products of commercial interest. This is a catalytic process based on the hydrogenation of phenol, in a multistage reactor. In this context, this project aimed: 1) to develop and validate a deterministic mathematical model for the cyclohexanol reactor; 2) to develop a methodology and a procedure for obtaining operational policies for the Paulinia Chemical Plant cyclohexanol reactor, through the use of non-linear deterministic optimization techniques and factorial planning; 3) to develop control structures and algorithms and implement them in the cyclohexanol reactor. Two algorithms based on the concepts of DMC (Dynamic Matrix Control) and STR (Self-Tuning Regulator) were assessed, initially by simulation, and, subsequently, implemented in real time in the reactor. (AU)