Operation of a Chemical Production Unit

General Objectives:

To provide the know-how for an autonomous job position in operation and maintenance of chemical production units, such as polymerization, fertilizers, chlorine, etc.

Specific Objectives:

At the end of training the trainees will be able to:

• Understand the role of chemical reactions and reactants in the production process;
• Learn about the operating constraints induced by the chemical reactions implemented in a production unit;
• Grasp the impact of operating conditions on the production facilities output.

CONTEÚDOS

CONTENTS:

Module I – Main sections of the unit

• Process flow scheme of the unit, specifically in the reaction section;
• Main operating conditions: temperature, pressure, flow rates, concentrations, profiles.

Module II – Chemical background

• Composition of the feed, characteristics of the effluents – Nature and role of the reactants; role of the recycle if any;
• Chemical and physical characteristics of the chemical reaction: thermal effect, kinetics, complete or incomplete, catalyst role if pertinent;
• Catalyst nature and effect, loading, poisons, ageing, regeneration.

Module III – Equipments

• Reactor type (mixed or piston type), internal devices, mixers, cooling system and temperature control;
• Recycling system: pumps, compressors, flashes, filters;
• Safety mechanical devices, SIS, short stop if pertinent.

Module IV – Analysis of operating conditions

• Mass balance, heat balance;
• Operating parameters and impact on yields and purity, by-products and purification operations if pertinent;
• Advanced operation: yields and related modifications, selectivity and impacting parameters, feed composition;
• Reaction cycle: duration, parameters profiles as a function of time;
• Operation of the downstream fractionation and purification units.

Module V – Operation and disturbances

• Nature and origins of disturbances: consequences, diagnostic, parades;
• Specific safety measures around the reactor.