THERMODYNAMIC MODELING OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE WATER GAS SHIFT REACTOR IN BASRA FERTILIZER PLANT

High-temperature Water Gas Shift (WGS) reactor in the State Company of Fertilizers South Region has considerable technological relevance for lowering CO content during the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrogen. It is an important part of ammonia plant. A simulation program based Peng–Robinson Equation and Gibbs free energy minimization method is developed to calculate the equilibrium composition of shift process. A thermodynamic analysis of water gas shift (WGS) reaction from synthesis gas was performed using Aspen-HYSYS to investigate the effects of operating parameters such as reaction temperature, pressure and steam to gas ratio S/G on CO conversion and production of hydrogen. Simulation results showed that highest CO conversion and H2 production is achieved at low temperature and steam to gas ratio (S/G). The results of simulated model show a good compatibility with the available industrial data.