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In this work we present the model of a counter-current spray column in which a triglyceride (tripalmitic triglyceride) is hydrolyzed by water and leads to fatty acid (palmitic acid) and glycerol. A finite volume model (FVM) of the column was developed to describe the reactive extraction process with a two-phase system and validated with an analytical model from the literature with the given data set encompassing six experimental runs. Global, variance-based (Sobol) sensitivity analysis allowed assessment of the sensitivity of the sweet water glycerol content in respect to liquid density, overall mass-transfer coefficient, reaction rate coefficient and the equilibrium ratio to rank them accordingly. Furthermore, parameter estimation with a differential evolution (DE) algorithm was performed to obtain among others the mass transfer, backmixing and reaction rate coefficients. The model was used to formulate and solve a process design problem regarding economic and sustainable performance. Multi-criteria optimization was applied via DE to minimize total annual cost (TAC) and the Eco99 indicator by varying the steam inlet flow rate and distribution over the two steam inlets as the independent variables. The model and analysis was implemented in Fortran and Python where the Fortran model can also be embedded in a process simulator such as PRO/II or Aspen.

TQC is a special purpose machinery builder. We became aware of the Industry 4.0 concepts and decided to investigate whether we were already prepared for what has been termed the fourth industrial revolution, or whether there were new concepts and practices that our company should adopt.This paper shows the process through which we evaluated the aspects related to the Industry 4.0 definitions. We dissected the various core concepts and then expanded the process to cover the nine pillars on which Industry 4.0 is built. We assessed ourselves against each significant element to see if we understood the concepts and requirements. We asked if these aspects were relevant to our business, we assessed whether our experience and actions to date covered the core of each element. We also looked at the challenges Industry 4.0 poses for the future of our business. This paper is a review of the process and it presents our findings.

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