Plantwide Control System Design and Performance Evaluation for Ammonia Synthesis Process

Abstract

The emphasis on process economics in modern chemical plants has led to the increased use of material recycle and energy integration that significantly alter process dynamics and add complexity. As a result, many plantwide control (PWC) methodologies have emerged. However, there are very few comparative studies to evaluate the effectiveness of alternate methodologies. In this study, a PWC structure for the ammonia synthesis process is developed using the integrated framework of simulation and heuristics [Konda et al. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2005, 44, 8300−8313], which is then compared with that developed by Araújo and Skogestad [Araújo and Skogestad, Comput. Chem. Eng. 2008, 32, 2920−2932] using the self-optimizing control procedure. The different control structures are evaluated in a comprehensive manner including assessment of the dynamic performance and steady-state profit.