Abstract: Based on the fact that the conversion rate of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation unit is lower than design value under vacuum insulation, the chemical kinetic model for adiabatic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene including the small molecule steam conversion reactions and a reactor model were established. The kinetic parameters of the model were estimated with the data from an industrial ethylbenzene dehydrogenation unit and their reliability was verified. A reactor module of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene was developed by C++ language and COM technologies according to the CAPE-OPEN standards, and the whole process model of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene was built on Aspen Plus platform. The simulation results of the reactor and distillation column were in good agreement with actual situation. The influence of the process parameters on the conversion during the operation mid-term of the unit was further investigated, and the suitable process parameters were put forward. It can provide useful support for the process design and production optimization of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene.

Key words: ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, styrene, CAPE-OPEN standard, parameter estimation, process simulation