Dynamic control of a selective hydrogenation process with undesired MAPD impurities in the C₃-cut streams

The selective hydrogenation process is commonly used to remove the undesired methylacetylene-propadiene (MAPD) in the C₃-cut streams. A single-stage selective hydrogenation process, which is primarily composed of an adiabatic catalytic reactor and a heat exchanger, is performed to meet the product specifications of normally less than 300 ppm of MAPD. By taking into account the deactivation of the catalyst, the optimal operating conditions are determined by solving the time-dependent optimization algorithm for maximizing propylene yield. Based on the optimal operating trajectories, the multi-loop feedback control framework is successfully verified to achieve the liquid-phase hydrogenation process with the low outlet concentration of MAPD.