1 research outputs found
Transfer of the Epoxidation of Soybean Oil from Batch to Flow Chemistry Guided by Cost and Environmental Issues
The simple transfer of established chemical production processes
from batch to flow chemistry does not automatically
result in more sustainable ones. Detailed process understanding
and the motivation to scrutinize known process conditions
are necessary factors for success. Although the focus is usually
“only” on intensifying transport phenomena to operate under
intrinsic kinetics, there is also a large intensification potential
in chemistry under harsh conditions and in the specific design
of flow processes. Such an understanding and proposed processes
are required at an early stage of process design because
decisions on the best-suited tools and parameters required to
convert green engineering concepts into practice—typically
with little chance of substantial changes later—are made
during this period. Herein, we present a holistic and interdisciplinary
process design approach that combines the concept of
novel process windows with process modeling, simulation, and
simplified cost and lifecycle assessment for the deliberate development
of a cost-competitive and environmentally sustainable
alternative to an existing production process for epoxidized
soybean oil