Dynamics of Ethyl Benzene Synthesis Using Aspen Dynamics

The objective of the study is to generate a plant wide control strategy using Aspen Dynamics for synthesis of Ethyl Benzene process which consists of two CSTRs in series followed by two distillation columns. Steady state simulation has been carried out prior to dynamic simulation using Aspen Plus and exported to Aspen dynamics after providing the required sizing details under flow driven mode. In addition to default controllers, five more controllers are added and the necessary specifications regarding process variable, output variable and set point are specified for each controller. One cascade controller, two ratio controllers, two pressure controllers, four temperature controllers and six level controllers are used in the present study. Controllers are tuned by using Tyreus-Luyben and Ziegler-Nichols controller settings. The response of the whole process is studied for various step disturbances to find the optimal controller parameters and control structure.