Heat exchange network optimization for the production process of 50 000 t/a 1, 3-propanediol

To solve the problem of high energy consumption in the production of 1,3-propanediol from propylene, and in line with the needs of chemical enterprises under the "Dual Carbon" goal, the production process of 1,3-propanediol was simulated and optimized. The heat pump distillation and pinch technology were adopted to analyze and optimize the energy consumption of the production process. The heat exchanger network was optimized and integrated. The results indicate that the adoption of heat pump distillation technology saved 2.428 25 MW of energy, while the application of pinch technology optimized the process, resulting in savings of 17.120 MW in hot utility and 17.020 MW in cold utility, corresponding to reductions of 16.37% and 16.16% respectively, thereby achieving significant energy conservation.