Simulation and Optimization of Polymerization Reactor for the Production of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Abstract

The sole objective of this paper is to investigate Simulation and Optimization process for the production of polyethylene terephthalate, the biggest polymer being consumed all over the world. In this way, two polymerization reactors are replaced with one polymerization reactor. In this way equipment and operating and many other cost was reduced. Discussion has also been made on the optimum temperature and pressure along with most suitable catalyst. The objective function for the polymerization reactor is to maximize the production as well as conversion. It is found that the reactor should be operated at a high temperature initially to obtain high conversion of Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) first, but then it should be lowered to reduce the formation of side products. Previous work was done on Simulation for the batch reactor only but in this work the Simulation was applied to the continuous polymerization reactor and results is investigated.