Rapid screening of conceptual reactive separation process options

Abstract We present a novel network optimisation-based approach that allows to quickly determine, whether the application of reactive liquid-liquid extraction (RLLE) is a promising option for reactive equilibrium systems, or for systems where reactions are inhibited by product formation. The approach provides conceptual information on the design of the reaction process in terms of feeding, bypassing and mixing patterns for reactive phases as well as on the existence of reactive separation sections within the network. The approach is highly computationally efficient since the superstructure model contains only the balance equations for the reactive phase. Such simplification is achieved with the help of a LLE transfer rate expression that has been developed from the work by Zheng et al. (1998), to predict the mass transfer from the reactive phase. A stochastic optimisation method, in the form of Tabu Search (TS), is used to explore the network. The approach is illustrated with two biochemical examples. The first one addresses extractive fermentation and will be presented to explain the individual aspects of the presented approach. The second presents an application to a complex biochemical reaction system: the aerobic growth of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae.

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