CFD simulation of the claus reaction furnace with operating conditions: temperature and excess air for sulfur recovery
摘要
In this work, a Claus reaction furnace was analyzed in a sulfur recovery unit (SRU) of the Abadan Oil Refinery where the combustion operating temperature is important since it ensures optimal performance in the reactor, this study focused on temperature control of 1400, 1500 and 1600 K and excess air of 10, 20 and 30% to improve the reaction yield and H2S conversion. The CFD simulation was carried out in Ansys Fluent in transitory state and in 3 dimensions, considering the turbulence model k–ε standard, energy model with transport by convection and mass transport with chemical reaction using the Arrhenius Finite-rate/Eddy-Dissipation model for a kinetic model of destruction of acid gases H2S and CO2, obtaining a good approximation with the experimental results of the industrial process of the Abadan Oil refinery, Iran. The percentage difference between experimental and simulated results varies between 0.6 to 4% depending on the species. The temperature of 1600 K and with excess air of 30% was the best, with one a mole fraction of 0.065 of S2 at the outlet and with a conversion of the acid gas (H2S) of 95.64%, which is quite good compared to the experimental one.