Optimization a Gasoil Vacuum Dryer Using Response Surface Methodology

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology 2014-02, Vol.37 (2), p.229-239
• Main Authors: Narimani, Elhameh, Alaei Kadijani, Javad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical engineering; Dehydration efficiency; Gasoil loss; Response surface methodology; Vacuum dryer
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201300123

A laboratory‐scale vacuum dryer with gasoil as feed was investigated based on response surface methodology (RSM). Dehydration efficiency and gasoil loss in this type of vacuum dryer are significantly affected by residence time, temperature, and pressure as independent variables, therefore, central composite face‐centered design of RSM with three levels of these variables was applied to design the experiments. Experimental data of dehydration efficiency and gasoil loss fitted well to the second‐order quadratic polynomials using a statistical software program and predictive models of dehydration efficiency and gasoil loss were obtained. An increase in temperature and residence time and a decrease in pressure could improve dehydration efficiency and gasoil loss. The estimated model of gasoil loss was minimized to reach a particular amount of dehydration efficiency. The drying process is a necessary albeit time and energy consuming step. Drying of gasoil in a lab‐scale vacuum dryer was modeled and optimized via response surface methodology. The influence of residence time, temperature, and pressure on dehydration efficiency and gasoil loss was evaluated. Temperature and residence time exhibited a positive effect, while the pressure had a negative impact on responses.