Steady State DOF

a) Ratio of Benzene/Ethylene in first PFR 1

b) Alkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp. to Reactor 1 1
Reactor Pressure (set to max.) 0
Reactor Temp. 1
c) Transalkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp to Reactor 1 1
Reactor Pressure (set to max.) 0
Reactor Temp. 1
d) Reactor Effluent Temperature (set to vapour fraction = 0) 0
e) Recycle Column
Fraction of Benzene leaking down the bottom 1
Fraction of EB leaking from top 1
f) Product Column
Product Purity (given) 0
Fraction of EB leaking down the bottom 1
g) Split of Benzene (Flow Rate of Benzene in Transalkylator) 1

Dominant Variables

a) Ratio of Benzene/Ethylene in first PFR
b) Alkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp. to Reactor 1
Reactor Temp.
c) Transalkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp to Reactor 1
Reactor Temp.
d) Recycle Column
Fraction of Benzene leaking down the bottom: Not a dominant design variable i.e. it does not
affect the entire flowsheet. So, it will be optimized at after dominant design variables
Fraction of EB leaking from top
e) Product Column
Fraction of EB leaking down the bottom
f) Split of Benzene (Flow Rate of Benzene in Transalkylator)


a) Size of Reactors:
Length of reactor does not affect unless the volume remains fixed. Volume of reactor is to be
taken such that entire ethylene is converted. But sizing of reactor should be done after the inlet
temperature of reactor and its operating temperature (outlet temperature) are fixed. This is
because for different temperatures, there would be different volume of reactors that would give
complete conversion. Until then give a very high volume to the reactor. After optimization of
dominant design variables, we will optimize it
b) Size of Columns: Number of stripping and rectifying trays affects the reboiler duty and condenser
operating cost. But it does not affect the entire flowsheet. So, it will be optimized after
dominant design variables.
c) Fraction of EB leaking from the top of recycle column and fraction of EB leaking from bottom of
product column are loosely controlled by L/F value. This is a self optimizing variable and the
flowsheet is not sensitive to it. So, it can be optimized at the end
d) Thus we are left with 6 dominant design variables:-
a. Ratio of Benzene/Ethylene in first PFR
b. Alkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp. to Reactor 1
Reactor Temp.
c. Transalkylator Reactor
Inlet Temp to Reactor 1
Reactor Temp.
d. Split of Benzene (Flow Rate of Benzene in Transalkylator)