Multiobjective Optimization in Distillation with Reactor-Side for Hydrodesulfurization Process of Diesel

Abstract

The distillation reactor-side has been proposed to remove sulfur compounds of diesel. The design and optimization of a hydrodesulfurization process involve the selection of the configuration and the operating conditions to minimize the total annual cost, CO 2 emissions and the amount of sulfur compounds. In general, the optimal design of hydrodesulfurization process is a highly non-linear and multivariable multiobjective optimization problem, with the presence of both continuous and discontinuous design variables. In particular, stochastic multiobjective optimization algorithms are capable of solving, robustly and efficiently, challenging optimization problems, and they appear to be a suitable alternative for the design and optimization of complex process schemes. In this study, we have implemented a multi-objective optimization method to obtain the design and optimization of three distillation reactor-side in the hydrodesulfurization process. The results obtained in the Pareto Fronts indicate competition between total annual cost, CO 2 emissions and the amount of sulfur compounds of the hydrodesulfurization process. These Pareto Fronts are useful to identify proper conditions for the operation of this process. In general, the reduction of the amount of sulfur compounds increases the TAC and CO 2 emissions. However, we can identify operating conditions where the TAC can be reduced. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.