MODELLING, SIMULATION AND CONTROL OF ETHYL ACETATE REACTIVE DISTILLATION COLUMN USING CHEMCAD

Amenaghawon, Nosakhare Andrew ¹ and Ogbeide, Samuel. E ²

 Department of Chemical Engineering,

University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

E-mail: andrew.amenaghawon@uniben.edu /samuelogbeide@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The modelling, simulation and control of a reactive distillation column for the production of ethyl acetate from acetic acid and ethanol has been studied using commercially available process simulation software, CHEMCAD^®. The effects of key operating variables such as reflux ratio, distillate rate, feed tray location and activity model on the composition of ethyl acetate in the distillate at steady state were studied. Steady state simulation results show that if a double feeding strategy is adopted, acetic acid must be fed to the tray 2 while ethanol must be fed to tray 12 in order to obtain optimum composition of ethyl acetate in the liquid phase. Also, a reflux ratio of 12 resulted in optimum composition of ethyl acetate in the liquid phase. Increasing the distillate rate resulted in an increase in the composition of ethyl acetate in the liquid phase. Using the steady state results as an initial state, dynamic simulations were run for the purpose controlling the reboiler pressure and ethyl acetate purity. For pressure control, the Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) tuning method was used to tune the controller parameters resulting in an optimal value of integral square error (ISE)of 587.85 and corresponding values of 0.13 and 7.05 for proportional gain and integral time constant (and ) respectively. A simulation exercise such as presented in this work is very important and is increasingly becoming popular. This is because simulation of mathematical models of chemical processes is safe, cheap and less time demanding. This has also been helped by the development of computers with high computational capabilities.

Keywords; Steady-state, Dynamics, Control, Reactive distillation, Ethyl acetate

INVESTIGATING THE STRENGTH AND POROSITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME FIRED CLAYS IN EDO AND DELTA STATES

*S.A. Agbalajobi¹ and I.S. Omoijuanfo²

²Department of Mines, Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Abuja, Nigeria

Email: wisdammy@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Investigation aimed at determining the strength and porosity characteristics of some fired clays in Edo and Delta States was carried out. Eighteen different clay samples were taken from six locations in both states. Three samples were taken from each location, analyzed and the result averaged. The six locations were Afuge/Ojavu, Usen/Arhenwen, Uguoriahi/Ovbere in Edo State and Ozarra/Ewebi, Ozalla/Ezeko and Iguoriakhi/Ogbomoba in Delta and Edo State. The clay samples were mixed repeatedly, quartered and analyzed to test their porosities and fired strength characteristics, using American Standard Thermal Analysis Method at the Soil Science Test Laboratory of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The results of the analysis showed that clay deposits in Afuze/Ojavu, Usen/Arhenwen, and Uguoriakhi/Ovbere in Edo State are good for brick works. They have low porosities ranging from 0.95% to 24.31% and high fired strength. On the other hand, clay deposit from Ozarra/Ewebi, Ozalla/Ezeko and Iguroriakhi/Ogbomoba in both Edo and Delta State are good for pottery. They have high porosities ranging from 13.0% to 38.74% and low fired strength.

Key Word: Clay, refractory, porosity, pottery, fired strength, temperature    

INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF LOCAL CLAYS IN DRILLING OPERATIONS

P.N. Onwuachi-Iheagwara

Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering

Delta State University, Abraka, Oleh Campus, Nigeria

pniheagwara@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Local clays were treated with chemical additives. Their rheological and thixotropic properties evaluated to determine their suitability for drilling operations. Properties examined included the Swelling Index, Apparent Viscosity, Plastic Viscosity and the Yield point.  Result shows that that the Nigerian indigenous clays are suitable. More research is recommended.

Keyword:  rheological properties, Nigerian clay, drilling clays