Process Intensification of Multipressure Reactive Distillation Networks Using Infinite Dimensional State-Space (IDEAS)

Abstract

The Infinite Dimensional State-Space (IDEAS) conceptual framework is put forward as an intensification tool for the synthesis of globally optimal, multipressure, reactive, azeotropic, distillation networks. To this end, a unit operation model is proposed for reactive vapor–liquid equilibrium flash separators employed as network building blocks, and the concepts of reactive holdup and capacity are introduced as network performance metrics. The method is demonstrated on a case study involving MTBE production using multipressure reactive distillation of methanol/isobutene/MTBE azeotropic mixtures. The globally optimal solutions for the minimum total reactive holdup, minimum total flow, and minimum capacity problems are obtained for a dual-pressure reactive distillation process operating simultaneously at 1.0 and 5.0 atm. For the problem of minimum capacity, the global optimum is found to have both reaction and pressure swing features, indicating those are complementary rather than competing technologies for process intensification purposes.

A process synthesis-intensification method for generation of novel and intensified solutions

“…PI has been defined from many perspectives, it has been classified in terms of approaches [27], categorized into different domains [28] and spanning across various scales [24]. As in process synthesis, the PI solution approaches are also classified in terms of a) heuristics or knowledge based [6,[29][30][31], b) mathematical optimization based [14,[17][18][19][32][33][34][35][36] and c) hybrid approaches [23][24][25][37][38][39][40]. So far, many definitions have been proposed for PI, yet none has been uniquely recognised.…”

Advancements in Optimization and Control Techniques for Intensifying Processes

“…This approach has been applied to synthesize distillation networks with and without heat and power integration for the separation of binary mixtures [41,42], and for the synthesis of reactive distillation networks for the production of MTBE from isobutene and methanol through the minimization the total liquid holdup [43]. Recent advancements using the IDEAS approach include the synthesis of intensified reactive distillation networks for the metathesis of 2-pentene to form 2-butene and 3-hexene by minimizing the reactive holdup [44] and the synthesis of multipressure reactive distillation networks for the production of MTBE [45].…”

Preface for Special Issue on Frameworks for Process Intensification and Modularization

“…Within the realm of intensified schemes considering conventional unit operations, Da Cruz and Manousiouthakis propose a conceptual framework for globally optimal synthesis of reactive distillation networks. 19 This Special Issue also features several contributions related to heat exchanger network synthesis (HENS). Karimi et al revisit previous superstructure representations for HENS and offered ways to incorporate new possibilities.…”

“…Such a framework is critical to reduce the risk of eliminating potential intensification pathways at the conceptual design stage. Within the realm of intensified schemes considering conventional unit operations, Da Cruz and Manousiouthakis propose a conceptual framework for globally optimal synthesis of reactive distillation networks . This Special Issue also features several contributions related to heat exchanger network synthesis (HENS).…”