Dynamic optimization of a multi-stage spherical, radial flow reactor for the naphtha reforming process in the presence of catalyst deactivation using differential evolution (DE) method

In the present research, differential evolution (DE) method has been used to optimize the operating conditions of a radial flow spherical reactor containing the naphtha reforming reactions. In this reactor configuration, the space between the two concentric spheres is filled by catalyst. The dynamic behavior of the reactor has been taken into account in the optimization process. The achieved mass and energy balance equations in the model are solved by orthogonal collocation method. The goal of this optimization is to maximize the hydrogen and aromatic production which leads to the maximum consumption of the paraffins and naphthenes. In order to reach this end, the inlet temperature of the gas at the entrance of each reactor, the total pressure of the process, as well as the catalyst distribution in each reactor have been optimized using the differential evolution (DE) method. The results of the optimization of the spherical reactor have been compared with the non-optimized spherical reactor. The comparison shows acceptable enhancement in the performance of the reactor.