2 research outputs found
Sustainability Improvements through Catalyst Recycling in a Liquid–Liquid Batch and Continuous Phase Transfer Catalyzed Process
Phase
transfer catalysis (PTC) is a potentially useful approach to processing
but often uses environmentally problematic substances that typically
end up in waste streams. The sustainability benefits of catalyst recovery
from a third liquid layer in a PTC system were investigated for the
O-alkylation of 3-phenyl-1-propanol. The system was operated in both
the batch and the continuous modes. The formation of a third liquid
phase and using it to recover catalyst reduces equipment footprint,
product loss through the waste, and VOC emissions and improves energy
efficiency compared to the equivalent process designed without the
third liquid layer, but at the expense of higher costs, higher <i>E</i> factor, and lower volume efficiency. Overall, continuous
phase transfer catalyst recycling is better than the equivalent batch
process in volume efficiency, in-process inventory, mass efficiency, <i>E</i> factor, VOC emission, equipment footprint, and operating
cost. However, the batch process with batch catalyst recycling is
still more cost-effective in capital investment