Introduction
The complex, many-variable system of benzene hydrocarbons and their derivatives is a central concern for chemical engineers, as is the efficient production of some of these hydrocarbons and derivatives for use in a wide range of applications, both industrial and consumer. Among these hydrocarbons and derivatives is coke, an important fuel in the production of steel and other associated industrial products. Coke is the end product of a carbonization process, and chemical engineers strive to maximize the efficiency of this process in order to produce the highest quality cokes with the highest conversion efficiencies.
The coking process involves the thermal decomposition of a wide variety of solid organic materials, such as coal and other carbonaceous materials, in order to directly and indirectly yield coke. In order to optimize the coking process and obtain the most efficient coke yield, the chemical engineer must achieve environmental balance, chemical equilibrium and economic feasibility. The hydrocarbon feed materials, which can include coal tar, coal tar pitch, resins and lignites, must pass through a variety of process units, the most important of which is the pyrolysis (coking) unit. The process parameters of the coking unit are highly important, as even small variations can drastically affect the yield and properties of the coke produced.
In order to maximize the efficiency of the coking process, chemical engineers have developed a mathematical model for coke production control. This mathematical model, termed the pyrophoricity model, is based on the principles of chemical reaction kinetics and allows for the control of the properties of the coke produced based on the process parameters of the coking unit. Through the use of appropriate process parameters, the chemical engineer is able to take full advantage of the pyrophoricity effect, which is a measure of the amount of energy released as heat during the coking process.
The Pyrophoricity Model
At the heart of the pyrophoricity model is the concept of reaction kinetic. A reaction kinetics is the behavior of a set of molecular species when they come into contact with each other in a chemical reaction – they interact and react with each other in a predictable and measurable manner. The pyrophoricity model takes into account the reaction kinetics of the coking process and the associated properties of the input and output materials.
In the pyrophoricity model, the reaction kinetics of the coking process are expressed in terms of the rate of coke production (or pyrophoricity rate), a measure of the rate of release of heat from the reactions that occur during the coking process. The pyrophoricity rate is expressed in terms of the reaction rate constants, which are mathematically derived parameters that measure the rate of reaction between the various intermediate and final reaction species. The pyrophoricity rate is dependent upon the parameters related to the coking process, such as the pressure, temperature, and residence time.
For a given temperature, the pyrophoricity rate has a maximum for the optimal temperature reaction kinetics and this is the basis for the pyrophoricity model. The pyrophoricity model includes a series of steps in order to successfully produce the highest quality cokes with the highest conversion efficiencies. Firstly, the chemical engineer must determine the optimal temperature reaction kinetics of the coking process in order to maximize the pyrophoricity rate. This is done through the use of a reaction kinetics model. Secondly, the process parameters for the coking unit must be adjusted to optimize the pyrophoricity rate and coke production.
Finally, in order to minimize the energy consumption of the coking process and maximize the economic efficiency of the process, the parameters must be adjusted to minimize the energy required to achieve the desired parameters. This is done through careful manipulation and monitoring of the various process parameters and the reaction kinetics in order to achieve the maximum pyrophoricity rate and coke yield, with the least amount of energy input.
Conclusion
The pyrophoricity model is a powerful mathematical tool that can be used to control and optimize the coking process. Through the proper use of reaction kinetics and process parameters, chemical engineers can maximize the efficiency of the coking process in order to produce the highest quality cokes with the highest conversion efficiencies and the least amount of energy input. Through the use of the pyrophoricity model, chemical engineers are better equipped to ensure that the coking process is efficient and economically viable, thereby providing an important tool for the efficient production of coke.
