ISBN 978-3-8439-1661-5

978-3-8439-1661-5, Reihe Verfahrenstechnik

Patrick Schmidt
Conceptual design and optimisation of Organic Solvent Nanofiltration processes

235 Seiten, Dissertation Technische Universität Dortmund (2014), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

From both an economic and an environmental perspective, the development of raw material and energy efficient chemical processes is a major concern. As currently the majority of industrial processes is based on conventional separation technologies such as distillation, the integration of more energy-ecient technologies into existing processes offers a large potential.

One promising energy-ecient technology is Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN). OSN is a pressure-driven membrane separation process suited for separations in organic solvents which can potentially lead to environmental and cost benefits. Despite its advantages, the lack of tools for conceptual and detailed process design addressing current membrane and process-focused challenges impede its widespread industrial application. The challenges include especially non-existing databases for OSN membrane and solvent selection, challenging modelling of OSN and missing tools for conducting a detailed process optimisation.

In this thesis new tools for conceptual design and optimisation of OSN processes were developed. These include membrane rejection maps (MRM) based on a standardized experimental OSN membrane characterisation in multi-component mixtures, membrane modelling maps (MMM) based on a new phenomena-based OSN permeation model, a generic OSN membrane cascade superstructure and a memetic evolution strategy (MES) algorithm allowing the flexible optimisation of OSN membrane module interconnections.

In a second step, the tools were integrated into a four-step design workflow to address interactions between the different challenges. The workflow is based on a separation task analysis, a solvent and membrane preselection, an experimental validation and final process modelling and optimisation. Within the workflow, also the selection of OSN membranes, the targeted selection/addition of process solvents to enhance OSN membrane performance and the integration of OSN modelling for feedback generation are addressed.

Finally, the design workflow was successfully demonstrated on two case studies, including the rejection of homogeneous catalysts during hydroformylation and the enrichment of butyl benzene isomers after toluene alkylation.