this paper discusses how a Mixed Refrigerant (MR) could be used to advantage in an ethylene plant. The MR is comprised of methane, ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane and butane and is used to replace the conventional Ethylene Refrigerant (ER) cycle in the ethylene plant resulting in energy savings. The extent of energy savings varies with the ethylene plant flowsheet. The paper outlines a metholology to develop an optimum design for the MR system. However, the feedstock flexibility built into most of hte ethylene plant designs presents a challenge in the control and operation of this system. The paper discusses methods to achieve desired refrigerant composition for changing feedstocks and outlines some of hte key considerations for development of the engineerign details and control strategy which must be carefuly worked out and developed during the design phase.
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