Dynamic Modelling of the Non-Catalytic Process of Ethylene Oxide Hydrolysis

Abstract

A non-catalytic process of ethylene oxide (EO) hydrolysis producing monoethylene glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), and triethylene glycol (TEG) has been considered. The reactor unit consists of three basic elements: a stirred mixing tank, a heat exchanger and a tubular reactor. Mathematical models of these three basic elements have been developed. Material balances on ethylene oxide and water in the
stirred mixing tank have been discussed. Energy balances on liquid and vapor phases in the heat exchanger have been presented, while steady-state equations of the tubular reactor have been developed.
In order to investigate an optimal control system of this process an adequate dynamic model of ethylene
oxide hydrolysis process has been proposed. Multivariable block-flow diagram of the process dynamics has been proposed. Using a standard procedure of linearization, a linear model of the reactor unit in the transform domain has been obtained.