Process and system analysis

Several tools are available to carry out these analyses. Use is made of both spreadsheet, Matlab models that are developed at ECN as commercially available software like AspenPlus (design and analysis of chemical processes), Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (Economic analysis),  EXERCOM (exergy analysis for AspenPlus). FORTRAN and Aspen Costum Modeler coding is used to implement description of unit operations that are not standard in AspenPlus, like for instance membrane (reactor) models. A large experience has been built up during the past years with the analyses of several chemical processes and energy systems. Below is a list of examples:

  Feasibility studies

• Cogeneration of electricity and ethylene by oxidative coupling of methane
• Market study on the use of pervaporation membranes in the process industry
• Recycling of methanol by membranes in chemical production processes
• Membrane reactors for continuous esterification reactions
• Application assessment of hydrogen separation by inorganic membranes in the process industry
• Zero-CO₂ emissions energy system for a refinery based on hydrogen production and integrated CO₂-removal
• Reducing CO₂ emissions in electricity production
• Hydrogen removal by membranes in dehydrogenation processes

Chemical processes

• Methanol
• (Bio)ethanol
• Acetone
• Methyl Ethyl Ketone
• Isopropanol
• Tetrahydrofuran
• Glycols
• Hydrogen
• Hydrocracking
• Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propylene
• Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene to Styrene
• Water gas shift reactor
• Propylene oxide
• Acroleine
• Tertiair Butyl Ether (MTBE)
• Applications of syngas
• Steamcracking of nafta and natural gas
• Ammonia
• Urea
• Emulsions in chemical and food industry
• Fisher-Tropsch synthesis
• Steam reforming
• Desulpherisation of nafta
• Isomerisation
• Hydrodealkylation of Toluene to Benzene