Global optimization of reactive distillation networks using IDEAS

In this work, we present a methodology for the global optimization of reactive distillation (RD) networks, through the Infinite DimEnsionAl State-space (IDEAS) approach. Within the IDEAS framework, network synthesis is formulated as an infinite dimensional linear optimization problem. The IDEAS conceptual framework is realized through solution of a series of finite dimensional linear programs whose optimum values converge to the infinite program’s infimum. The proposed optimal design methodology is demonstrated on a case study involving reactive distillation-based synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from isobutene and methanol.     

Synthesis of ternary distillation process structures featuring minimum utility cost using the IDEAS approach

A synthesis method for ternary distillation process structures is proposed on the basis of the infinite‐dimensional state‐space (IDEAS) approach. The proposed synthesis procedure consists of two steps. At the first step, the utility cost is minimized. The result of the first step contains many tiny flows among the modules because the number of flows is not included in the objective function. Then, at the second step, an evolutionary procedure for process simplification is executed. In this step, the weighted sum of flow rates is minimized recursively while updating the weights at each iteration. The practical process structure is finally determined from the result of the second simplification step. The developed synthesis procedure was applied to the separation problem of a ternary mixture consisting of benzene, toluene, and o‐xylene. It demonstrated that the proposed procedure provides a process whose liquid composition profile is quite similar to that of a Petlyuk column. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1285–1294, 2018     

Integrated design and control of reactive distillation processes using the driving force approach

Superior controllability of reactive distillation (RD) systems, designed at the maximum driving force (design-control solution) is demonstrated in this article. Binary or multielement single or double feed RD systems are considered. Reactive phase equilibrium data, needed for driving force analysis and design of the RD system, is generated through an in-house property prediction tool. Rigorous steady-state simulation is carried out in ASPEN plus in order to verify that the predefined design targets and dynamics are met. A multiobjective performance function is employed to evaluate the performance of the RD system in terms of energy consumption, sustainability metrics (total CO₂ footprint), and control performance. Controllability of the designed system is evaluated using indices like the relative gain array (RGA) and Niederlinski index (N_I ), to evaluate the degree of loop interaction, as well as through dynamic simulations using proportional-integral (PI) controllers and model predictive controllers (MPC). The design-control of the RD systems corresponding to other alternative designs that do not take advantage of the maximum driving force is also investigated. The analysis shows that the RD designs at the maximum driving force exhibit enhanced controllability and lower carbon footprint than the alternative RD designs.     

反应精馏隔壁塔内合成乙酸甲酯的模拟

提出了一种应用反应精馏隔壁塔合成乙酸甲酯的新工艺流程,采用反应精馏隔壁塔替代常规反应精馏流程中的反应精馏塔及甲醇回收塔。利用Aspen Plus模拟软件,对反应精馏隔壁塔及常规流程进行了模拟,比较分析了两种流程塔内液相组成分布,并分析了塔顶回流比与气相分配比对反应精馏隔壁塔的影响。结果显示新流程可以节能11.9%,并能降低设备投资费用和操作费用。     

反应蒸馏塔中固体催化剂的装填结构

反应蒸馏是集化学反应与蒸馏分离两个过程于一体的新化工单元过程 ,反应蒸馏塔中固体催化剂的装填结构既要满足汽液两相对流流动的需要 ,又要使反应介质与催化剂能够良好接触。简述了对反应蒸馏塔中固体催化剂装填结构的基本要求 ,分类介绍了国内外开发的有特色与应用前景的催化剂装填结构的特点、局限性与应用范围 ,指出了开发新型催化剂装填结构的必要性     

Efficient generalized shortcut distillation model with improved accuracy for superstructure-based process synthesis

We propose a general shortcut distillation column model that can address a wide range of types of separations including nonsharp/sloppy splits. The model can automatically identify key components and estimate the energy requirement of a desired separation in the presence, potentially, of components with zero flow rates. To obtain more practical column height and vapor flow rates, we augment the model with constraints inspired by the Fenske equation. We also propose valid constraints to enhance the computational performance of the proposed model. Due to its flexibility and computational efficiency, the proposed model can be readily used for superstructure-based process synthesis.     

IDEAS approach to process network synthesis: minimum utility cost for complex distillation networks

This work aims at quantifying the minimum utility cost necessary to complete a given separation task using vapor-liquid equilibrium (distillation) operations. The Infinite DimEnsionAl State-space (IDEAS) process is introduced as a new paradigm for this process synthesis activity. The IDEAS conceptual framework includes all possible process configurations, and yields mathematical programs that are convex (linear), thereby guaranteeing the global optimality of the obtained solution.A case study, on nitrogen/oxygen mixture separation, is employed to illustrate the power of the proposed approach. The obtained IDEAS designs are compared with the corresponding McCabe-Thiele (conventional) minimum utility designs, and are shown to be as much as 50% more thermodynamically and economically efficient.     

Systematic integrated process design and control of binary element reactive distillation processes

Integrated process design and control of reactive distillation processes is considered through a computer‐aided framework. First, a set of simple design methods for reactive distillation column (RDC) that are similar in concept to nonreactive distillation design methods are extended to design‐control of RDCs. These methods are based on the element concept where the reacting system of compounds is represented as elements. When only two elements are needed to represent the reacting system of more than two compounds, a binary element system is identified. It is shown that the same design‐control principles that apply to a nonreacting binary system of compounds are also valid for a reactive binary system of elements for distillation columns. Application of this framework shows that designing the reactive distillation process at the maximum driving force results in a feasible and reliable design of the process as well as the controller structure. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3137–3154, 2016     

差压热耦合反应精馏塔的模拟研究

为了降低反应精馏塔能耗,将差压热耦合技术与反应精馏技术结合,提出了一种新型的差压热耦合反应精馏的流程,并将其应用于乙酸正丁酯的合成中。应用Aspen Plus模拟软件对新工艺流程以及常规反应精馏流程进行了模拟,通过考察压缩比、进料位置、进料醇酸摩尔比等因素对差压热耦合反应精馏合成乙酸正丁酯工艺的影响,得到最优条件。同时,将该工艺与常规反应精馏工艺进行比较,结果显示,新工艺能够大幅度降低能耗,与常规反应精馏装置相比可节能40%左右。     

间歇反应精馏合成乙酸异丙酯

以乙酸和异丙醇为原料通过间歇式反应精馏合成乙酸异丙酯,正交实验给出最佳合成条件为:回流比3、反应时间1.5h、乙酸与异丙醇的物质的量比1∶1.5、催化剂用量为乙酸体积2%,乙酸异丙酯的最大收率为92.8%。     

一种通用的反应蒸馏塔综合与设计方法

反应精馏是反应过程和分离过程耦合为一体的单元操作,已成为当今研究的重要领域。然而,到目前为止并没有一套通用简便的方法去指导反应精馏过程的综合与设计,严重限制了它的广泛应用。本文在过程强化原理的基础上提出了一种反应蒸馏塔通用的综合与设计方法,并利用2种反应蒸馏系统来评价所提出的设计策略。结果表明,该综合设计方法可以简便高效地搜索出反应蒸馏塔的最优结构,适用于不同类型的反应蒸馏塔的综合与设计。     

Globally optimal power cycle synthesis via the Infinite-DimEnsionAl State-space (IDEAS) approach featuring minimum area with fixed utility

This paper demonstrates the use of the Infinite DimEnsionAl State space (IDEAS) approach in synthesizing optimal power cycles featuring minimum heat exchange area. IDEAS is used to synthesize power cycle networks which include splitters, mixers, pumps, turbines, and heat exchangers and feature a single or multiple working fluid(s). The overall synthesis goal is to minimize heat exchange area requirements, while delivering a fixed percentage of the maximum net power obtainable from a given set of hot and cold utilities. The global optimality of the obtained power cycle network configuration is guaranteed, since IDEAS gives rise to convex (linear) programs. The power of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a case study involving the generation of electricity by a bottoming cycle with a pure ammonia working fluid. Real thermodynamic data for pure ammonia and rigorous equipment models are employed in carrying out the proposed optimization.     

Feasibility analysis,synthesis, and design of reactive distillation processes: A focus on double‐feed processes

A new approach for the feasibility analysis of reactive distillation processes based on the reactive extractive curve maps (rExCM) concept is introduced. A method dedicated to reactive distillation feasibility analysis, and design has been developed in our team since 1999. From minimal information concerning the physicochemical properties of the system, three steps lead to the design of the unit and the specification of its operating conditions. Currently, the procedure permits the conceptual design of hybrid reactive column configuration with one or two feed plates, for any number of equilibrium reactions (provided that the degree of freedom of the system is equal to 2) occurring in liquid or vapor phase. This contribution focuses on the most recent developments: the generalization of the feasibility analysis step to double‐feed processes thanks to the introduction of the rExCM concept. This methodology is illustrated through two examples: the emblematic methyl acetate example and the production of dimethyl methyl glutarate. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2346–2356, 2012     

酶反应精馏耦合技术研究进展

酶反应精馏是将酶催化反应与精馏过程进行耦合,可有效打破反应化学平衡的限制,提高酶反应转化率和选择性,是一种新型化工过程强化技术。本文分别从酶催化剂及其催化反应机制、酶催化剂装填方式、酶催化反应与精馏耦合型式、酶反应精馏耦合技术的应用案例等方面综述了酶反应精馏耦合技术的研究进展,分析表明:目前酶反应精馏耦合技术的开发尚不成熟,且与化学催化剂催化的反应精馏过程不同,酶反应精馏工艺过程开发还需考虑酶催化反应温度、底物浓度等因素对酶催化活性影响。在后续研究中,可分别从研究体系、酶的固定化技术、酶催化剂装填方式、酶反应精馏理论研究、酶反应精馏耦合工艺开发等方面开展强化研究。     

反应精馏法催化合成氯乙酸乙酯

采用反应精馏的方法催化合成了氯乙酸乙酯,反应过程中加入环己烷作为带水剂,将水分带出反应系统后促进酯化平衡朝正向移动。设计了新型的反应器,采用强酸性阳离子交换树脂作为催化剂,催化活性高,且可以循环利用。与其他酯化反应相比,所用无水乙醇量少,反应时间短,转化率高达98.92%。     

Enhancing mass and energy integration by external recycle in reactive distillation columns

The synthesis and design of reactive distillation columns separating reacting mixtures with the most unfavorable relative volatilities (i.e., the reactants are the heaviest and lightest components with the products being the intermediate ones) are described. The unfavorable thermodynamics poses great difficulties in combining the reaction operation and the separation operation involved and limits severely the potential of reactive distillation columns in the reduction of capital investment (CI) and operating cost. To remove the limitation, we propose two strategies for facilitating the synthesis and design of this kind of reactive distillation columns in this article. One is to arrange prudentially the reactive section so as to strengthen internal energy integration between the reaction operation and the separation operation involved; that is, while the reactive section should be placed at the bottom of the reactive distillation columns separating exothermic reactions, it should be at the top of the reactive distillation columns separating endothermic reactions. The other is to introduce an external recycle flow between the two ends of the reactive distillation columns to reinforce internal mass integration and internal energy integration between the reaction operation and the separation operation involved; that is, whereas the external recycle flow should be directed from the top to bottom of the reactive distillation columns separating exothermic reactions, it should be from the bottom to top of the reactive distillation columns separating endothermic reactions. Separation of four hypothetical ideal (i.e., two quaternary and two ternary systems, respectively) and two real nonideal (i.e., two quaternary systems) reacting mixtures is chosen to evaluate the proposed strategies. The results show that they can considerably lower energy requirement besides a further reduction in CI. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2015–2032, 2013     

乙酰丙酸乙酯的反应精馏模型及隔壁塔节能优化设计

乙酰丙酸乙酯是一种潜在的生物质基平台化合物,在工业上具有很高的应用价值。乙酰丙酸乙酯传统的生产方法主要为间歇反应法,效率较低,产物分离困难且工艺流程较长。因此,本文提出了反应精馏工艺生产乙酰丙酸乙酯,在以中试实验结果为依据的基础上,使用Aspen Plus模拟软件建立了工艺流程,并考察了回流比、进料位置、进料摩尔比以及理论塔板数等关键参数,得到了常规单塔反应精馏工艺生产乙酰丙酸乙酯的最优配置。而后,为了得到纯度大于99.9%的乙酰丙酸乙酯,本文进一步提出了反应精馏双塔精制流程以及反应精馏隔壁塔流程,并通过对两种流程所得到的产品纯度以及能耗的对比,验证了反应精馏隔壁塔工艺生产乙酰丙酸乙酯的有效性以及在节能方面较大的优势。     

基于优化的反应精馏塔简捷设计

基于G ibbs自由能最小原理达到反应和相平衡的假设,提出了一种适用于初步设计的新的设计方法。以甲基叔丁基醚和碳酸二乙酯的反应精馏过程为例,应用Aspen软件模拟,经分析发现,通过改变理论级数和回流比,可得到合理的塔内温度分布,从而使塔底产品组成得到最大程度的提高,为此提出基于优化的设计法:以产品组成最大为目标函数,以回流比、精馏段和提馏段理论板数为决策变量,采用遗传算法进行优化计算。结果表明,2个设计实例均能在保证低能耗的同时得到较高的产品纯度,说明该设计方法可以设计出较好的反应精馏塔。