Análise e avaliação entrópica de reações múltiplas consecutivas em reator CSTR.

Abstract

The present study extends the methodology of analysis and optimization of chemical process by minimizing the entropy rate production to a system considered complex and still not explored by the adopted methodology. In order to determinate the optimal operational conditions of the process, a system of multiple generic and consecutive reactions conducted in a perfect mixing reactor was analyzed. Since the intermediate product is of commercial interest, the development of the methodology was based on the mass and energy balances associated with the entropic balance aiming to minimize the entropy rate production of the reaction of interest. In accordance with previous studies, the optimization procedure revealed that obtaining a relation between inlet and operating temperatures is essential to reach the minimum entropy production condition. If treating of reaction temperature, a single operational condition was considered optimal from the point of view of minimum entropy production, while the classical analysis methodology suggested several operating points. Because it is a consecutive reaction, a constructive parameter of the reactor was also analyzed to reach the minimum entropy condition. The entropic optimization of the residence time revealed that the higher its value the lower is the entropy rate production. A simplified economic analysis was applied in order to configure a selection criterion for such parameter. The results reveals a new operating condition capable of reducing the energy costs of the process and improving the reactive performance of the system.