ASU Simulation in Separating Air Components by Refrigeration Distillation (Oxygen and Nitrogen) Using ASPEN HYSYS (Case Study: SIAD Company)

Abstract

AbstractCurrently, air separation units (ASUs) have become very important in various industries, particularly oil and petrochemical industries which provide feed and utility services (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). In this study, a new industrial ASU was evaluated by collecting operational and process information needed by the simulator by means of HYSYS software (ASPEN-ONE). The results obtained from this simulator were analyzed by ASU data and its error rate was calculated. In this research, the simulation of ASU performance was done in the presence of an expansion turbine in order to provide pressure inside the air distillation tower. Likewise, the cooling capacity of the cooling compartment and the data were analysed. The results indicated that expansion turbine is costly effective. Notably, it not only reduces the energy needed to compress air and supply power of the equipment, but also provides more cooling power and reduces air temperature. Moreover, turbines also increase the concentration of lighter gas products, namely nitrogen.