Kinetic Model and Simulation Analysis for Toluene Disproportionation and C9-Aromatics Transalkylation1

A new kinetic model for commercial unit of toluene disproportionation and C9-armatiocs transalkylation is developed based on the reported reaction scheme. A time based catalyst deactivation function taking weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) into account is incorporated into the model, which reasonably accounts for the loss in activity because of coke deposition on the surface of catalyst during long-term operation. The kinetic parameters are benchmarked with several sets of balanced plant data and estimated by the differential variable metric optimization method. Sets of plant data at different operating conditions are applied to make sure validation of the model and the results show a good agreement between the model predictions and plant observations. The simulation analysis of key variables such as temperature and WHSV affecting process performance is discussed in detail, giving the guidance to select suitable operating conditions.