Modeling and Optimization of Alkylation Process Using Response Surface Methodology

The goal of this paper is to optimize Alkylation unit based on industrial data in order to maximize the production rate as well as keeping operational condition of the unit at the desired values. The input variables of alkylation unit are usually input feeds, and output variables are products (i.e. alkylate, normal butane and propane), acid consumption, alkylate octane number, reflux flow of isobutene to reactor and isobutene to olefin ratio in the reactor. Based on industrial data of alkylation unit, the mathematical process model has been obtained using response surface method (RSM). The method has a dominated application in numerous areas of research particularly in chemical process industries. The accuracy of the proposed method has been validated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Finally, the optimization of operational condition for an alkylation unit has been carried out using Design Expert 7.