Energy-efficient recovery of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate by triple-column extractive distillation: entrainer design and process optimization
Ao Yang, Yang Su, Tao Shi, Jingzheng Ren, Weifeng Shen, Teng Zhou
Energy-efficient recovery of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate by triple-column extractive distillation: entrainer design and process optimization
An energy-efficient triple-column extractive distillation process is developed for recovering tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate from industrial effluent. The process development follows a rigorous hierarchical design procedure that involves entrainer design, thermodynamic analysis, process design and optimization, and heat integration. The computer-aided molecular design method is firstly used to find promising entrainer candidates and the best one is determined via rigorous thermodynamic analysis. Subsequently, the direct and indirect triple-column extractive distillation processes are proposed in the conceptual design step. These two extractive distillation processes are then optimized by employing an improved genetic algorithm. Finally, heat integration is performed to further reduce the process energy consumption. The results indicate that the indirect extractive distillation process with heat integration shows the highest performance in terms of the process economics.
extractive distillation / solvent selection / conceptual design / process optimization / heat integration
[1] |
Santaella M A, Orjuela A, Narváez P C. Comparison of different reactive distillation schemes for ethyl acetate production using sustainability indicators. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 2015, 96: 1–13
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[2] |
Tran L S, Verdicchio M, Monge F, Martin R C, Bounaceeur R, Sirjean B, Glaude P A, Alzueta M U, Battin Leclerc F. An experimental and modeling study of the combustion of tetrahydrofuran. Combustion and Flame, 2015, 162(5): 1899–1918
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[3] |
He Z, Lin S, Gong C, Xi Y. Study on separating tetrahydrofuran from the mixture made up tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate and water. Journal of Shenyang Institute of Chemical Technology, 1996, 10(2): 143–147
|
[4] |
Deorukhkar O A, Deogharkar B S, Mahajan Y S. Purification of tetrahydrofuran from its aqueous azeotrope by extractive distillation: pilot plant studies. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 2016, 105: 79–91
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[5] |
Yin Y, Yang Y, De Lourdes Mendoza M, Zhai S, Feng W, Wang Y, Gu M, Cai L, Zhang L. Progressive freezing and suspension crystallization methods for tetrahydrofuran recovery from Grignard reagent wastewater. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017, 144: 180–186
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[6] |
Zhang X, He J, Cui C, Sun J. A systematic process synthesis method towards sustainable extractive distillation processes with preconcentration for separating the binary minimum azeotropes. Chemical Engineering Science, 2020, 227: 115932
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[7] |
Graczová E, Šulgan B, Barabas S, Steltenpohl P. Methyl acetatemethanol mixture separation by extractive distillation: economic aspects. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2018, 12(4): 670–682
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[8] |
Wang C, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Guang C, Gao J. Comparison of pressure-swing distillation with or without crossing curved-boundary for separating a multiazeotropic ternary mixture. Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, 220: 114–125
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[9] |
Liang S, Cao Y, Liu X, Li X, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Wang Y. Insight into pressure-swing distillation from azeotropic phenomenon to dynamic control. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2017, 117: 318–335
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[10] |
Han Z, Ren Y, Li H, Li X, Gao X. Simultaneous extractive and azeotropic distillation separation process for production of PODEn from formaldehyde and methylal. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2019, 58(13): 5252–5260
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[11] |
Haaz E, Szilagyi B, Fozer D, Toth A J. Combining extractive heterogeneous-azeotropic distillation and hydrophilic pervaporation for enhanced separation of non-ideal ternary mixtures. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2020, 14(5): 913–927
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[12] |
Yang A, Shen W, Wei S, Dong L, Li J, Gerbaud V. Design and control of pressure-swing distillation for separating ternary systems with three binary minimum azeotropes. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2019, 65(4): 1281–1293
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[13] |
Li W, Zhong L, He Y, Meng J, Yao F, Guo Y, Xu C. Multiple steady-states analysis and unstable operating point stabilization in homogeneous azeotropic distillation with intermediate entrainer. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2015, 54(31): 7668–7686
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[14] |
Gerbaud V, Rodriguez Donis I, Hegely L, Lang P, Denes F, You X. Review of extractive distillation. Process design, operation, optimization and control. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2019, 141: 229–271
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[15] |
Li H, Wu Y, Li X, Gao X. State-of-the-art of advanced distillation technologies in China. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2016, 39(5): 815–833
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[16] |
Yang A, Sun S, Shi T, Xu D, Ren J, Shen W. Energy-efficient extractive pressure-swing distillation for separating binary minimum azeotropic mixture dimethyl carbonate and ethanol. Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, 229: 115817
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[17] |
Shi T, Yang A, Jin S, Shen W, Wei S, Ren J. Comparative optimal design and control of two alternative approaches for separating heterogeneous mixtures isopropyl alcohol-isopropyl acetate-water with four azeotropes. Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, 225: 1–17
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[18] |
Pan Q, Shang X, Li J, Ma S, Li L, Sun L. Energy-efficient separation process and control scheme for extractive distillation of ethanol-water using deep eutectic solvent. Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, 219: 113–126
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[19] |
Shi X, Zhu X, Zhao X, Zhang Z. Performance evaluation of different extractive distillation processes for separating ethanol/tert-butanol/water mixture. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2020, 137: 246–260
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[20] |
Yang A, Zou H, Chien I L, Wang D, Wei S, Ren J, Shen W. Optimal design and effective control of triple-column extractive distillation for separating ethyl acetate/ethanol/water with multiazeotrope. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2019, 58(17): 7265–7283
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[21] |
Cignitti S, Rodriguez-Donis I, Abildskov J, You X, Shcherbakova N, Gerbaud V. CAMD for entrainer screening of extractive distillation process based on new thermodynamic criteria. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2019, 147: 721–733
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[22] |
Woo H C, Kim Y H. Solvent selection for extractive distillation using molecular simulation. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2019, 65(9): e16665
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[23] |
Cui Y, Zhang Z, Shi X, Guang C, Gao J. Triple-column side-stream extractive distillation optimization via simulated annealing for the benzene/isopropanol/water separation. Separation and Purification Technology, 2020, 236: 116303
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[24] |
Zhu Z, Li G, Dai Y, Cui P, Xu D, Wang Y. Determination of a suitable index for a solvent via two-column extractive distillation using a heuristic method. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2020, 14(5): 824–833
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[25] |
Shen W, Dong L, Wei S, Li J, Benyounes H, You X, Gerbaud V. Systematic design of an extractive distillation for maximum-boiling azeotropes with heavy entrainers. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2015, 61(11): 3898–3910
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[26] |
Blahušiak M, Kiss A A, Babic K, Kersten S R A, Bargeman G, Schuur B. Insights into the selection and design of fluid separation processes. Separation and Purification Technology, 2018, 194: 301–318
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[27] |
Gani R, Brignole E. Molecular design of solvents for liquid extraction based on UNIFAC. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 1983, 13: 331–340
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[28] |
Gertig C, Kröger L, Fleitmann L, Scheffczyk J, Bardow A, Leonhard K. Rx-COSMO-CAMD: computer-aided molecular design of reaction solvents based on predictive kinetics from quantum chemistry. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2019, 58(51): 22835–22846
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[29] |
Liu Q, Zhang L, Liu L, Du J, Meng Q, Gani R. Computer-aided reaction solvent design based on transition state theory and COSMO-SAC. Chemical Engineering Science, 2019, 202: 300–317
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[30] |
Zhou T, Wang J, McBride K, Sundmacher K. Optimal design of solvents for extractive reaction processes. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2016, 62(9): 3238–3249
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[31] |
Zhang L, Pang J, Zhuang Y, Liu L, Du J, Yuan Z. Integrated solvent-process design methodology based on COSMO-SAC and quantum mechanics for TMQ (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-H-dihydroquinoline) production. Chemical Engineering Science, 2020, 226: 115894
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[32] |
Song Z, Zhang C, Qi Z, Zhou T, Sundmacher K. Computer-aided design of ionic liquids as solvents for extractive desulfurization. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2018, 64(3): 1013–1025
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[33] |
Chao H, Song Z, Cheng H, Chen L, Qi Z. Computer-aided design and process evaluation of ionic liquids for n-hexane-methylcyclopentane extractive distillation. Separation and Purification Technology, 2018, 196: 157–165
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[34] |
Zhou T, Song Z, Zhang X, Gani R, Sundmacher K. Optimal solvent design for extractive distillation processes: a multiobjective optimization-based hierarchical framework. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2019, 58(15): 5777–5786
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[35] |
Silva R O, Torres C M, Bonfim Rocha L, Lima O C M, Coutu A, Jiménez L, Jorge L M M. Multi-objective optimization of an industrial ethanol distillation system for vinasse reduction—a case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018, 183: 956–963
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[36] |
Waltermann T, Grueters T, Muenchrath D, Skiborowski M. Efficient optimization-based design of energy-integrated azeotropic distillation processes. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2020, 133: 106676
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[37] |
Krone D, Esche E, Asprion N, Skiborowski M, Repke J U. Conceptual design based on superstructure optimization in GAMS with accurate thermodynamic models. Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering, 2020, 48: 15–20
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[38] |
Li X, Cui C, Li H, Gao X. Process synthesis and simulation-based optimization of ethylbenzene/styrene separation using double-effect heat integration and self-heat recuperation technology: a techno-economic analysis. Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, 228: 115760
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[39] |
Su Y, Jin S, Zhang X, Shen W, Eden M R, Ren J. Stakeholder-oriented multi-objective process optimization based on an improved genetic algorithm. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2020, 132: 106618
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[40] |
Kruber K F, Grueters T, Skiborowski M. Efficient design of intensified extractive distillation processes based on a hybrid optimization approach. Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering, 2019, 46: 859–864
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[41] |
Yang A, Su Y, Chien I L, Jin S, Yan C, Wei S, Shen W. Investigation of an energy-saving double-thermally coupled extractive distillation for separating ternary system benzene/toluene/cyclohexane. Energy, 2019, 186: 115756
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[42] |
You X, Gu J, Gerbaud V, Peng C, Liu H. Optimization of pre-concentration, entrainer recycle and pressure selection for the extractive distillation of acetonitrile-water with ethylene glycol. Chemical Engineering Science, 2018, 177: 354–368
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[43] |
Momoh S O. Assessing the accuracy of selectivity as a basis for solvent screening in extractive distillation processes. Separation Science and Technology, 1991, 26(5): 729–742
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[44] |
Marrero J, Gani R. Group-contribution based estimation of pure component properties. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 2001, 183: 183–208
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[45] |
Rodriguez Donis I, Gerbaud V, Joulia X. Thermodynamic insights on the feasibility of homogeneous batch extractive distillation, 1. azeotropic mixtures with a heavy entrainer. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2009, 48(7): 3544–3559
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[46] |
Douglas J M. Conceptual Design of Chemical Processes. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988, 461–462
|
[47] |
Luyben W L. Distillation Design and Control Using Aspen Simulation. 1st ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 87–89
|
[48] |
Zhang Q, Liu M, Li C, Zeng A. Heat-integrated pressure-swing distillation process for separation of the maximum-boiling azeotrope diethylamine and methanol. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2018, 93: 644–659
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[49] |
Yang J, Pan X, Yu M, Cui P, Ma Y, Wang Y, Gao J. Vaporliquid equilibrium for binary and ternary systems of tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate and N-methyl pyrrolidone at pressure 101.3 kPa. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2018, 268: 19–25
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
[50] |
Xia M, Shi H, Niu C, Ma Z, Lu H, Xiao Y, Hou B, Jia L, Li D. The importance of pressure-sensitive pinch/azeotrope feature on economic distillation design. Separation and Purification Technology, 2020, 250: 116753
CrossRef
Google scholar
|
/
〈 | 〉 |