Process Model and Objectives

Recently, Agrawal et al. (2006) had modeled the LDPE reactor as an ideal plug flow reactor and presented all the model equations and parameters for use by researchers. The model equations include ordinary differential equations for overall and component mass balances, energy balance and momentum balance. The reactor model of Agrawal et al. (2006) is adopted, and cost expressions and economic objectives are 

Em is the flow rate of the monomer through the reactor, Xmj is the monomer conversion and Pin is the pressure at the reactor inlet. In equation 10.13, the first term on the right hand side takes care of plant capacity while the second term is for compressors involving CP. 

Cost data such as the price of feed (ethylene), solvent (n-butane), initiators, LDPE and electricity are provided in Table 10.3. The remaining cost equations involve the multiplication of the price data and the respective flow rate, and then bringing the values to yearly basis. These are also included in Table 10.3. Assuming working capital is 10% of FCI, TCI is 

The operating cost (Million US /yr) is the sum of all the costs (except revenue) in Table 10.3. 

Using the straight-line method to calculate depreciation over a period of 10 years, PBT (Million US /yr), PBT = Rev-c p - D or 

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