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A joint exergy analysis/exergetic resilience approach for evaluation of suspension PVC production with VCM recovery

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Suspension process is the main method of production of PVC, it is characterized by an intensive consumption of energy. Due to the ongoing climate crisis, the study of energy utilization of chemical processes has become relevant as a step to achieving sustainable operations. Therefore, an exergetic analysis is proposed to study the energy management of the PVC production process by suspension. The process was modelled using simulation software which allows the quantification of the extended mass and energy balances of the process and the thermodynamic properties of pure substances and mixtures. From this information chemical and physical exergies were obtained; exergy parameters were calculated per stage and for the whole process. The analysis showed that the process has efficient energy management with an efficiency of 79.6%, showing that most of the exergy inputs remain in the product stream, with irreversibilities of 236.798 MJ/h of mostly unavoidable losses (80%). It was found that the drying and VCM recovery stages presented poor performance, the drying stage had the highest irreversibilities (75,618 MJ/h) associated with avoidable losses (wastes) with 46,488 MJ/h. The VCM recovery section presented the lowest exergy efficiency (84%) due to mainly unavoidable losses (45,268 MJ/h). Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed, valorizing the process waste, resulting in an increase in efficiency up to 84% and a reduction in irreversibilities to 56%. Also, improving the recovery section would increase global efficiency by up to 95%. However, the unavoidable losses are the main source of exergy destruction of the process; reducing them has the potential to increase efficiency significantly, so it is recommended to expand the analysis to study the service streams (heating, fuel, and refrigerants) together with energy integration.

Source: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.sajce.2025.06.007

Authors: Eduardo Aguilar-Vásquez, Miguel Ramos-Olmos, Ángel Darío González-Delgado

Institutions: University of Cartagena, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios

Language: English

Topic: Process Optimization and Integration

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $950