Insight into dynamic safety characteristics of extractive distillation process considering independent protection.

This work explores the integration of dynamic simulation with the concept of protection layers to assess the dynamic safety of an extractive distillation operation. This particular study concentrates on the separation process of acetonitrile from water using ethylene glycol as the entrainer. It appraises the efficacy of different independent protection layers — ranging from basic process control systems, critical alarms, and operator interventions, to safety instrumented systems and pressure relief valves — against various potential risk scenarios. The study considers scenarios leading to overpressure situations, such as failures in the condenser system, surges in hot steam supply, or severe disturbances in feed. Using Aspen Dynamics for detailed dynamic simulation and safety evaluation, the study examines the response and effectiveness of each protection layer meticulously. It employs a scenario-based safety analysis to gauge the dynamic safety performance and the effectiveness of the protection layers. The research underscores the value of scenario analysis in grasping the dynamic responses of the distillation process and the spread of irregularities through the system. This understanding is crucial for estimating the process safety time and for crafting an efficient safety system. [Display omitted] • Dynamic rigorous simulation delves into the extractive distillation process. • Faults are categorized by protection layers for dynamic scenario simulation. • Analysis reveals condenser malfunctions as the main overpressure source. • Protection layers effectively mitigate these overpressure risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]