ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Exergoeconomic analysis of Catalyst naphtha reforming process in refinery

Ali Akbar Amooey and Ali Azimi Khoshrodi

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

E-mail: aliakbar_amooey@yahoo.com

Received: 2 August 2024  Accepted: 19 July 2025

Abstract:

A method for producing high-quality gasoline is through the catalysis of naphtha, which is essential for environmental protection in the industry. Given the high energy consumption, energy optimization is crucial for global development. Therefore, exergoeconomic and sensitivity analyses are necessary to enhance energy efficiency in processes. In this study, the catalytic modification process of naphtha in the refinery is simulated using Aspen Plus software. Subsequently, the exergy degradation parameters, exergoeconomic factor, and relative costs of the devices are calculated using exergoeconomic analysis. According to the results of the exergy analyses, the greatest destruction of exergy occurs in the distillation tower (T-1) with a value of 3,692,123.250 kJ/s. Additionally, the highest exergy efficiency is associated with the distillation tower (T-1), which has a value of 98.784%. The outcomes of the exergy analyses indicate that the distillation tower (T-1) has the largest destruction of exergy cost rate at $31.056/h, while one of the mixers (M-2) has the smallest at zero. Furthermore, the results show that the furnace (B-3) has the greatest exergoeconomic factor at 77.951%, while the mixers (M1 and M2) have the smallest.

Keywords: Exergoeconomic analysis; Catalyst naphtha; Destruction of exergy cost rate

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04267-2

Chemical Papers 79 (11) 7517–7525 (2025)