Application of soft sensors in the estimation of ethylene distillation column composition

Ethylene distillation column is very important in olefin plant because it directly affects the quality and yield of ethylene. Two soft sensors, ethane concentration in top product and ethylene concentration in bottom byproduct, were developed using artificial neural network combined characteristics of ethylene production. Then these soft sensors were applied to ethylene distillation column to control flow rates of reflux and heating propylene. The control system not only insures eligible ethylene production, but also ensures ethylene losing in byproduct fluctuating in a very little range. And it gets the target of increasing ethylene output, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing economy benefit.