Optimization safety margin approach

Optimization of an SMB System with a Linear Isotherm, Using the Safety Margin Approach... 

In principle, there are three possible remedies for this problem. First, the plant can be operated with a safety margin - the most common but not the most economic approach. Second, some critical speciflcations can be controlled online, by feeding back the measured values to a controller, especially the product purities as the most critical parameters. This feedback can also be realized manually, which requires the continuous presence of skilled operators. The most advanced approach is to establish the optimality of the operation continuously and automatically, based on more or less sophisticated plant models and the available measurements. 

Rather than work to achieve a simplified duty cycle and simplified umbrella transients, more exacting and realistic analyses could be performed. The currently available computing power allows these multiple analyses to be performed, facilitating optimization and removing the necessity for very conservative approaches to be taken to minimize and simplify calculations and analyses. At the same time the actual safety margins can be much better understood and more transparent, thus resolving one of the past difficulties between US and European design requirements. 

This method allows balance and optimization of the reactor and the safety system at an early engineering stage, to cost-efficiently internalize safety issues based on the defence in depth approach and considering appropriate conservative assumptions and safety margins. This achieves a balance between inherent capability of the reactor and the safety systems to cope with the postulated initiating events. 

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