(593c) Cost and Energy Optimization of Solvent Deasphalting Process with MINLP Synthesis of Heat Exchanger Networks and Genetic Algorithm for Process Parameter Optimization.

Solvent deasphalting (SDA) process is specialized in the selective removal of asphaltene components. The feedstock of SDA process is substantially viscous and high-molecular-weight oil such as vacuum residue and bitumen, and C3-C6 alkane is used as the extraction solvent. The extraction solvent selectively dissolves deasphalted oil and rejects asphaltene components that are not dissolved into the solvent. In this process, lots of solvents are needed and these solvents should be recycled from the oils for reuse. Normally, a separation process of solvent from oils needs heating and depressurizing, accompanying a lot of energy usage. To reduce the amount of energy usage and total annualized cost, genetic algorithm was adapted for optimizing process parameters with simultaneous MINLP synthesis of heat exchanger networks (HEN). Based on the synthesized process and heat exchanger networks, total capital costs, operating costs and energy usage are calculated over generations.