Calculator Inputs
Use this estimator for propane-to-propylene style yield screening, quick budgeting, unit comparisons, and production planning studies.
Example Data Table
| Case | Feed Rate | Propane | Conversion | Selectivity | Recovery | Purity | On-Stream | Days/Year | Saleable Propylene |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base screening case | 12,000 kg/h | 95 wt% | 42% | 91% | 98% | 99.5% | 92% | 330 | 4,053.98 kg/h |
| Higher severity case | 12,000 kg/h | 95 wt% | 48% | 89% | 98% | 99.5% | 92% | 330 | 4,531.30 kg/h |
| Recovery-limited case | 12,000 kg/h | 95 wt% | 42% | 91% | 93% | 99.0% | 89% | 330 | 3,827.81 kg/h |
Formula Used
1. Propane in feed:
Propane feed mass = Total feed rate × Propane wt%.
2. Propane molar flow:
Propane feed molar flow = Propane feed mass ÷ 44.10.
3. Converted propane:
Converted propane = Propane molar flow × Single-pass conversion.
4. Gross propylene:
Gross propylene mass = Converted propane × Propylene selectivity × 42.08.
5. Recovered propylene:
Recovered propylene = Gross propylene × Recovery efficiency.
6. Saleable propylene:
Saleable propylene = Recovered propylene × Product purity.
7. Calendar-time production:
Daily production = Saleable propylene × 24 × On-stream factor.
Annual production = Daily production × Operating days per year.
8. Yield metrics:
Yield on propane feed = Saleable propylene ÷ Propane in feed × 100.
Yield on total feed = Saleable propylene ÷ Total feed × 100.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the total process feed rate in kilograms per hour.
- Set the propane content of that feed on a weight basis.
- Enter single-pass conversion from reactor or pilot data.
- Provide propylene selectivity from your reaction pathway estimate.
- Add downstream recovery and final product purity assumptions.
- Include on-stream factor and operating days for production planning.
- Press Estimate Yield to show results above the form.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to save the result set.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this estimator calculate?
It estimates gross, recovered, and saleable propylene production from a propane-containing feed. It also reports daily and annual output, feed-based yield, and losses tied to conversion, selectivity, separation, and purity assumptions.
2. Is selectivity the same as purity?
No. Selectivity describes how much converted feed becomes propylene in the reactor. Purity describes how much of the final product stream is actually propylene after separation, finishing, and specification adjustments.
3. Why is recovery entered separately?
Recovery captures losses after reaction, such as compression, fractionation, recycle handling, and flare or purge losses. Keeping it separate helps you distinguish reactor performance from downstream separation performance.
4. Can this tool support annual planning?
Yes. The on-stream factor and operating days convert the rate-based result into calendar-time production. That makes it useful for budget cases, supply studies, debottlenecking reviews, and preliminary economic screens.
5. How accurate are the results?
Accuracy depends on your assumptions. This tool is best for screening, comparing scenarios, and checking sensitivity. It does not replace rigorous simulation, plant tests, kinetics models, or detailed mass-balance reconciliation.
6. Which units are assumed here?
Feed and production rates use kilograms per hour. Percent inputs use 0 to 100 scales. Annual output uses operating days per year, while daily output applies the on-stream factor to 24 hours.
7. Can I use mixed feeds?
Yes, as long as the propane fraction is represented reasonably. The estimator isolates only the propane portion for the reaction basis. Mixed-feed complexity outside that simplification should be checked with deeper process modeling.
8. What is the main improvement lever?
The calculator highlights the lowest entered efficiency among conversion, selectivity, recovery, purity, and uptime. That quick flag helps identify where engineering attention may produce the largest incremental gain first.