Detailed Design of Hydrogenation Reactors

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 43 views

PRA Design of Propilen Glycol Making Factory with Glycerol Raw Materials Through Hydrogenolysis Process with a Production Capacity of 65,500 Tons/Year and Special Task: Design of Engineering Details of Hydrogenation Reactors

Introduction

Propilen glycol, a versatile compound with various uses, ranging from food additives to antifreeze, has great potential as an industrial product. The advantage of the hydrogenolysis process of glycerol to produce propylene glycol lies in high conversion and the use of glycerol, the by-product of biodiesel production, which makes propylene glycol an added value product. In this article, we will discuss the pre-design of a Propilen Glycol factory with a production capacity of 65,500 tons/year, located in Buantan Besar, Siak, Riau Islands, Indonesia.

Promising Business Opportunities: Pre-Propilen Glycol Factory Design from Glycerol

The pre-design of the Propilen Glycol factory carries a production capacity of 65,500 tons/year, operates for 330 days a year, and is located in Buantan Besar, Siak, Riau Islands. The land area required reaches 8,808 m2, with a Limited Liability Company's Business Entity. The factory organization carries a line system and staff with a total workforce of 134 people. The use of glycerol as a raw material makes propylene glycol an added value product, as glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel production.

The hydrogenolysis process of glycerol to produce propylene glycol has several advantages, including high conversion and the use of a by-product of biodiesel production. This process also has a high potential for economic growth, as the demand for propylene glycol is increasing globally. The pre-design of the Propilen Glycol factory is a crucial step in building a sustainable propylene glycol industry in Indonesia.

Detailed Design of Hydrogenation Reactors

Hydrogenation reactor, the heart of the process of producing propylene glycol, designed with the following specifications:

Catalyst: Copper Alumina Oxide (Cu (Al2O3))
Catalyst mass: 468.75 kg
Type of Reactor: Fixed Bed Reactor
Construction Materials: Carbon Steel SA-299
Number of tubes: 61 pieces
Tube thickness: 0.1875 in
Shell diameter: 1.17 m
Shell thick: 1 in
Reactor height: 10.31 m

The hydrogenation reactor is designed to optimize the production of propylene glycol, with a high conversion rate and a low energy consumption. The use of a fixed bed reactor ensures a high efficiency of the reaction, while the use of carbon steel as a construction material ensures a high durability of the reactor.

Promising Economic Analysis

The results of the economic analysis show that the glycol propylene plant from glycerol has excellent business potential. The following details:

Investment Capital: Rp. 2,519,031,647,941
Production costs per year: Rp. 2,258,445,390,912
Selling price per year: Rp. 2,921,696,519,704
Net profit per year: Rp. 459,888,771,863
Profit Margin (PM): 15.74%
Break Even Point (BEP): 19.76%
Return on Investment (ROI): 18.26%
Pay Out Time (Pot): 5.5 years
Return on Network (RON): 30.43%
Internal Rate of Return (IRR): 22.12%

The economic analysis shows that the glycol propylene plant from glycerol has a high potential for economic growth, with a high net profit and a high return on investment. The break-even point is relatively low, indicating that the plant can quickly recover its investment.

Conclusion

With a large market potential, an efficient production process, and promising economic analysis, propylene glycol factory from glycerol has excellent business opportunities. The detailed design of measurable hydrogenation reactors and comprehensive economic analysis further strengthens the potential success of this project. Hopefully, this pre-design can be a solid first step in building a sustainable propylene glycol industry in Indonesia.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The pre-design of the Propilen Glycol factory should be further developed into a detailed design, including the design of the hydrogenation reactor and the economic analysis.
The use of glycerol as a raw material should be further explored, including the optimization of the hydrogenolysis process and the use of a by-product of biodiesel production.
The economic analysis should be further developed, including the calculation of the return on investment and the pay out time.
The project should be further developed, including the establishment of a partnership with a biodiesel producer and the development of a marketing strategy.

By following these recommendations, the propylene glycol factory from glycerol can be a successful and sustainable business venture in Indonesia.
Q&A: Propilen Glycol Making Factory with Glycerol Raw Materials Through Hydrogenolysis Process

Q: What is propilen glycol and what are its uses?

A: Propilen glycol is a versatile compound with various uses, ranging from food additives to antifreeze. It is a widely used industrial product due to its high demand in various industries.

Q: What is the advantage of using glycerol as a raw material for producing propylene glycol?

A: The use of glycerol as a raw material for producing propylene glycol has several advantages, including high conversion and the use of a by-product of biodiesel production. This process also has a high potential for economic growth, as the demand for propylene glycol is increasing globally.

Q: What is the production capacity of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The proposed Propilen Glycol factory has a production capacity of 65,500 tons/year, operates for 330 days a year, and is located in Buantan Besar, Siak, Riau Islands, Indonesia.

Q: What is the land area required for the factory?

A: The land area required for the factory reaches 8,808 m2, with a Limited Liability Company's Business Entity.

Q: What is the type of reactor used in the hydrogenolysis process?

A: The hydrogenation reactor used in the hydrogenolysis process is a fixed bed reactor, designed with a high efficiency of the reaction and a low energy consumption.

Q: What is the catalyst used in the hydrogenation reactor?

A: The catalyst used in the hydrogenation reactor is Copper Alumina Oxide (Cu (Al2O3)), with a mass of 468.75 kg.

Q: What are the economic benefits of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The economic analysis shows that the glycol propylene plant from glycerol has excellent business potential, with a high net profit and a high return on investment. The break-even point is relatively low, indicating that the plant can quickly recover its investment.

Q: What is the pay out time of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The pay out time of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory is 5.5 years, indicating that the plant can recover its investment within a relatively short period of time.

Q: What is the return on investment (ROI) of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The return on investment (ROI) of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory is 18.26%, indicating that the plant can generate a high return on investment.

Q: What is the internal rate of return (IRR) of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The internal rate of return (IRR) of the proposed Propilen Glycol factory is 22.12%, indicating that the plant can generate a high return on investment.

Q: What are the potential risks and challenges associated with the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The potential risks and challenges associated with the proposed Propilen Glycol factory include the high cost of raw materials, the complexity of the hydrogenolysis process, and the potential for environmental impact.

Q: How can the proposed Propilen Glycol factory be further developed?

A: The proposed Propilen Glycol factory can be further developed by optimizing the hydrogenolysis process, reducing the cost of raw materials, and improving the efficiency of the plant.

Q: What is the potential for economic growth associated with the proposed Propilen Glycol factory?

A: The proposed Propilen Glycol factory has a high potential for economic growth, with a high demand for propylene glycol in various industries and a high return on investment.

Q: How can the proposed Propilen Glycol factory contribute to the development of the Indonesian economy?

A: The proposed Propilen Glycol factory can contribute to the development of the Indonesian economy by generating employment opportunities, increasing the country's GDP, and promoting economic growth.