Boosting the gasoline production via a novel multifunctional Fischer–Tropsch reactor: Simulation and optimization

Energy and the environment are two of the most important issues this century. Multifunctional reactor has been recognized as one of the most promising configurations for simultaneous production of gasoline and hydrogen; as well stabilizing the atmospheric green house gases level. This paper focuses on mathematical modeling and optimization of a novel multifunctional reactor (MR) in order to enhance the production of gasoline and reduces CO2 and CH4 emission. Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is carried out in exothermic side and supplies the necessary heat for the benzene synthesis reaction. The proposed reactor configuration consists of two catalytic fixed beds separated by the solid wall and also two Pd/Ag membranes, one is used for ultrapure hydrogen production from the endothermic side and the subsequent is applied in order to selectively hydrogen addition to the exothermic side. A one-dimensional, steady-state heterogeneous model and the differential evolution (DE) method, as a strong and powerful optimization method, are applied to simulate and optimize the proposed reactor configuration. The results of optimized multifunctional rector (OMR) represent 40.91% enhancement in the yield of gasoline in comparison with conventional Fischer–Tropsch reactor (CR). Moreover, 75% and 34.46% decrease in the yield of methane and carbon dioxide as undesired products, respectively. On the other hand, a favorable temperature profile along the reactor length of OMR is achieved in comparison with CR.

► Optimized multifunctional reactor (OMR) is proposed in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. ► Differential evolution (DE) method is used as a strong and powerful optimization method. ► Redistribution of hydrogen compensates hydrogen lack in the FT synthesis side. ► 40.91% enhancement in the yield of gasoline is achieved in OMR relative to the CR.