Identification for Thermal Energy Optimization in the Process of Esterification Through the Evaluation of Combustion Reactions in Thermal Oil Heater

The optimization of energy has been conducted in the process of esterification. The energy for the process sourced from fuel gas combustion in thermal oil heater. The process optimization was conducted by identifying the products of combustion that in the reactor. The result shows for set point 150 and 200 oC, the CO concentrations were 5182 and >10,000 ppm. However, the thermal efficiencies obtained at set point 150 and 200 oC were 73.6 and 53.4%, which below the design value (80%). Therefore, this paper recommends combustion tuning to improve the efficiency. Finally, the potential saving also obtained through this improvement.