A Master’s thesis was discussed at the Department of Chemical Engineering / College of Engineering / University of Basrah by the researcher Yasmine Qais Hatim, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ala’a Abdulrazaq and Dr. Ali Abdulhussain Abdulabbas, entitled:
“Process Modeling and Thermodynamic Analysis of Molten Salt and Dowtherm Cooled Reactors Driven Urea-Formaldehyde Synthesis in Basrah Fertilizer Plant.”
The thesis adopted a mathematical model to simulate an industrial multitubular fixed-bed reactor for methanol oxidation and formaldehyde production. Molten salt and Dowtherm were investigated and compared as cooling media due to the importance of removing the heat generated by the highly exothermic reaction and maintaining stable thermal and operational reactor performance.
The significance of the study lies in its direct relevance to the requirements of Basrah Fertilizer Plant and the proposed UFC-85 production unit. The simulation provides an engineering approach for studying reactor performance and evaluating the cooling system and operating conditions prior to industrial implementation. It also contributes to improving thermal control within the reactor, supporting stable and efficient operation.
The results showed that the selection of the cooling medium has a clear influence on the thermal performance of the reactor. Molten salt provided more effective heat removal and a more stable temperature profile, whereas Dowtherm achieved higher methanol conversion under the investigated conditions.
The study concluded that the adopted model can be used as an engineering tool for evaluating reactor performance and supporting design and operational decisions for the proposed UFC-85 production unit at Basrah Fertilizer Plant, thereby contributing to linking scientific research outcomes with practical industrial requirements.