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Simulation and sensitivity studies in the donor solvent coal liquefaction process

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6919109
The Exxon Donor Solvent coal liquefaction process was modeled using the ASPEN simulator. The coal liquids were treated like pseudocomponents, and they were characterized by their average boiling points and specific gravities. The coal liquid properties were then estimated from Wilson correlations. The Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state, along with binary interaction coefficients, was employed to describe the phase equilibria of mixtures. The coal liquid densities were estimated from a modified Rackett equation, and the viscosities from Andrade equation. The entire process was simulated using ASPEN's built-in models. Wherever necessary, controllers were devised and FORTRAN blocks were written and added to the input file. The validity of thermodynamic and physical property models were checked by comparing them with the literature values. In general, the models agreed well with the published and experimental data. The simulation model also included the sizing and costing of major pieces of equipment in the process. The sensitivity analysis, with respect to dominant process parameters, was conducted for each section to determine better sets of process operating conditions.
Research Organization:
Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville, AR (USA)
OSTI ID:
6919109
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English