Optimal Operation of the Cyclic Claus Process

The dynamic analysis and optimization of the novel cyclic Claus process, a four-step, one-bed, vacuum swing adsorptive reactor (VSAR) is studied. The partial differential and algebraic equations describing the physical behavior of the system are stated in a dimensionless form. The model equations are solved using gPROMS (R), and a NLP problem is formulated to maximize a performance objective function. A rSQP based optimization is used to search for the optimum operating parameters. Since the reactant feed time is an important factor for the efficiency of a cyclic process, our work in this study focuses on attaining maximum reactants feeding time at high conversion, exploring the optimal design and operating parameters for the reactor.