Projects / Programmes
Sustainable optimization of specialty chemicals plant production
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
| T270 |
Technological sciences |
Environmental technology, pollution control |
Process system engineering, sustainable development, indicators of sustainable development, environment protection, modelling,design, integration, cogeneration, optimization, mathematical programming, MINLP.
Researchers (9)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Limited resources of non-renewable fuels together with environmental protection demands are forcing chemical engineers to reduce fuel and electricity usage, recycle progressively more energy and materials, optimize operation of plants according to market, prices and technology development continuously. Energy use per unit of products has declined significantly over the past decade and this is the situation in most EU countries. The main goal of the research program is process plant optimization linked to sustainable use of natural resources and environment, socio-economic development and health protection.
Modern simulation tools are planned to be used. When using the best thermodynamic methods and data as well as applying fast, reliable and rigorous solution methods, these tools enable companies in the process industries to improve their profits and enchence engineering productivity. The systematic engineering methods of Pinch Analysis will be adapted to identify energy and water targets. Research will be concentrated on process optimization using mathematical programming. The possibilities for integrating a cogeneration system with chemical process will be studied. This project focuses on introducing sustainable production to small and medium size enterprises (SME) and proposes indicators of sustainable production, which could be used as strategic metrics for assessing sustainability level of the company.
Small existing specialty chemical production plant will serve as a case study. Retrofit design options, appropriate to existing installations, will be paid special attention. The simultaneous improvement of sustainability and process economics is to provide an example of best practice that can motivate other members of the chemical and process industries (pulp & paper, ceramics, food and drink & dairy, textile etc.).
