MATLAB-BASED OPTIMIZATION OF METHANE FEED INTAKE IN A GTL PLANT FOR SYNTHETIC FUEL PRODUCTION

U.T. Beshimov, U.R. Azamatov, A.G. Makhsumov, E.E. Mashaev

Муҳандислик ва Иқтисодиёт · 2026-yil

Annotatsiya

Optimization of methane feed intake plays a critical yet underexplored role in improving the thermodynamicand economic performance of Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) plants. While previous studies primarily focused on catalystdevelopment and reactor temperature optimization, the methane intake rate itself has rarely been treated as a primarydecision variable within an integrated kinetic–thermodynamic framework. In this study, a comprehensive nonlinear modelof a GTL plant was developed, integrating methane reforming kinetics, mass and energy balances, Fischer–Tropschsynthesis reactor performance, and exergy analysis. The reforming section was described using Langmuir–Hinshelwoodkinetics, coupled with plug flow reactor mass–energy balances. A multi-objective optimization problem was formulatedto simultaneously maximize synthetic fuel yield and minimize specific energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and exergydestruction. The optimization was solved using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm implemented in MATLAB. Paretofront analysis revealed a narrow optimal methane intake window between 115 and 132 kmol/h. Within this region, fuelyield increased by 8.9%, specific energy consumption decreased by 6.1%, CO₂ emissions were reduced by 8.1%, andtotal exergy destruction decreased by 9.2% compared to baseline operation. Sensitivity analysis confirmed methane feedrate as the dominant operational variable, contributing over 40% of total performance variance. Excess methane intake(>140 kmol/h) was shown to increase thermal irreversibility and oxygen demand with marginal productivity gains, whileinsufficient feed (<105 kmol/h) resulted in reactor underutilization. The developed framework demonstrates that methaneintake control represents a powerful and industrially viable optimization lever for GTL plants. The proposed methodologycan be integrated into advanced process control and digital twin platforms to enhance plant efficiency, reduce carbonfootprint, and improve operational stability.

Maqola ma’lumotlari
MualliflarU.T. Beshimov, U.R. Azamatov, A.G. Makhsumov, E.E. Mashaev
JurnalМуҳандислик ва Иқтисодиёт
Nashr sanasi2026-03-01
Jild4
Son3
TilIngliz

Kalit so‘zlar

Gas-to-Liquids (GTL); Methane feed optimization; multi-objective optimization; Genetic algorithm; Fischer– Tropsch synthesis; Exergy analysis; Syngas production; Nonlinear reactor modeling; Process intensification; Energy efficiency.

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