Direct Route to Phenol from Benzene

Phenol production, expected to exceed 13MM metric tons in 2017, is a significant global industry with many flaws in its current manufacturing method. The Hock process essentially converts high value propylene to low value acetone. The proposed process design, detailed in this report, provides an alternative reaction pathway that utilizes a direct synthesis from benzene, as developed at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, India. The endorsed proposal is in accordance with US Patent 8,772,552 B2, that describes the production of phenol via vapor phase oxidation of benzene over a copper chromium oxide catalyst. Environmental protection and worker safety are paramount concerns due to the hazardous nature of phenol and benzene. The inclusion of a ventilation system with flare hoods keeps the concentration of hazardous materials within OSHA guidelines. The design uses air to oxidize benzene within four separate packed-bed reactors with inter-stage coolers. Downstream separation removes non-condensable species, recycles up to 98% of the unreacted benzene, and purifies phenol to design specifications. The plant’s capacity is 500MM lb/operating-year of phenol and will be located on the U.S. Gulf Coast as part of an industrial complex. The final product is 99.83% phenol by mass, and contains an aldehyde byproduct as the principal impurity. The design requires an initial investment of $83.6MM, yields a fifteen-year net present value (NPV) of$90M, and has an estimated investor’s rate of return (IRR) of 29.2%. The proposed project is forecasted to break-even in Q1 of 2025 immediately following the second year of maximum production capacity. The design is recommended based on project specifications and marketing team projections, though investors should exercise caution with regards to the effect of realistic market data on proposal sensitivities

Hybrid (Symbolic-Numerical) Optimization in Mechanism Design for the Elimination of Redundant Constraints

Introduction Today, one of the challenges of computer-based optimization lies in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) principles to the creation of systematic and well-structured design procedures Universal joints are used extensively to couple misaligned power shafts. Mazziotti [14] presents a discussion of some o

2016 ACR-EULAR adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis response criteria-methodological aspects

Objective. The objective was to describe the methodology used to develop new response criteria for adult DM/PM and JDM. Methods. Patient profiles from prospective natural history data and clinical trials were rated by myositis specialists to develop consensus gold-standard ratings of minimal, moderate and major improvement. Experts completed a survey regarding clinically meaningful improvement in the core set measures (CSM) and a conjoint-analysis survey (using 1000Minds software) to derive relative weights of CSM and candidate definitions. Six types of candidate definitions for response criteria were derived using survey results, logistic regression, conjoint analysis, application of conjoint-analysis weights to CSM and published definitions. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve were defined for candidate criteria using consensus patient profile data, and selected definitions were validated using clinical trial data. Results. Myositis specialists defined the degree of clinically meaningful improvement in CSM for minimal, moderate and major improvement. The conjoint-analysis survey established the relative weights of CSM, with muscle strength and Physician Global Activity as most important. Many candidate definitions showed excellent sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve in the consensus profiles. Trial validation showed that a number of candidate criteria differentiated between treatment groups. Top candidate criteria definitions were presented at the consensus conference. Conclusion. Consensus methodology, with definitions tested on patient profiles and validated using clinical trials, led to 18 definitions for adult PM/DM and 14 for JDM as excellent candidates for consideration in the final consensus on new response criteria for myositis