| Publication Type |
Journal Article |
| Title |
Economic comparison of a reactive distillation-based process with the conventional process for the production of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) |
| Authors |
Luis Domingues Carla I C Pinheiro Nuno M. C. Oliveira |
| Groups |
|
| Journal |
COMPUTERS \& CHEMICAL ENGINEERING |
| Year |
2017 |
| Month |
May |
| Volume |
100 |
| Number |
|
| Pages |
9-26 |
| Abstract |
This work addresses the economic comparison of a process based on reactive distillation (RD) with the conventional process for ETBE production. Nonlinear first-principles models for both processes were developed and implemented in gPROMS ModelBuilder, with the corresponding physical properties being calculated in Aspen Plus, connected through the CAPE-OPEN interface. The design of the RD column was performed using an optimisation-based strategy, which couples an evolutionary algorithm with a nonlinear solver. The RD-based process studied eliminated the need for the top ethanol fresh feed, thus eliminating the need for an ethanol recovery section. The payback period was found to be 3 years, if the RD column, condenser and reboiler are purchased and only 1.5 years if only the cost of purchasing a RD column is considered. The advantages of the RD-based process were found to be the higher yield of ETBE product, as well as lower costs of ethanol and steam. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
| DOI |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2017.01.008 |
| ISBN |
|
| Publisher |
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD |
| Book Title |
|
| ISSN |
0098-1354 |
| EISSN |
1873-4375 |
| Conference Name |
|
| Bibtex ID |
ISI:000397844300002 |
| Observations |
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