Deterministic modeling of an industrial steam ethane cracker

Rate-based deterministic modeling requires simple, yet sufficiently accurate modeling of complex petrochemical systems. In this work, steam ethane cracking was modeled with several molecular reactions, in addition to coke formation and coke removal by steam reforming reactions. A rate-based model was then developed which incorporates the reaction model together with momentum, energy and mass balances. The model consisted of nonlinear ODEs which were solved numerically. The developed model was then validated by the published experimental data from a pilot plant. Then it was utilized to simulate an industrial unit. This deterministic model simulates all the essentials of an industrial steam ethane cracking reactor so that optimum process parameters can be searched and determined.