In this study, a new Biomass-Gas-Nuclear heat-To-Liquid fuel (BGNTL) process is presented which uses high-temperature nuclear heat as the heat source for steam methane reforming (SMR). This process co-produces liquid fuels (Fischer-Tropsch liquids, methanol and DME) and power. The BGNTL process was simulated using a combination of different software packages including gPROMS, MATLAB, ProMax, and Aspen Plus. This included the use of a rigorous multi-scale model for the nuclear-heat-powered SMR reactor which was developed in a prior work in gPROMS. Energy efficiency and cradle-to-grave life cycle inventory and life-cycle impact analyses of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were accomplished to analyze the environmental impacts of the BGNTL system. Plant performance was compared with a base case Biomass-Gas-To-Liquid (BGTL) process at the same size. In both processes, a carbon capture and storage (CCS) option is considered. It has been found that both processes result in negative total life... [more]

Integrated process and control design approach for cyclic distillation columns is proposed. The design methodology is based on application of simple graphical design approaches, known from simpler conventional distillation columns. Here, a driving force approach and McCabe-Thiele type analysis is combined. It is demonstrated, through closed-loop and open-loop analysis, that operating the column at the largest available driving force results in an optimal design in terms of controllability and operability. The performance of a cyclic distillation column designed to operate at the maximum driving force is compared to alternative sub-optimal designs. The results suggest that operation at the largest driving force is less sensitive to disturbances in the feed and inherently has the ability to efficiently reject disturbances.

This paper describes the progress of our efforts to lead the CACHE (Computer Aids for Chemical Engineering Education) Task Force in transforming from chemical process design toward chemical product design. Through CACHE, we are coordinating the development of a library of product-design case studies. Beginning with preliminary product designs created previously over several semesters, we are arranging for faculty experts, knowledgeable in the underlying technology platforms, to work with student groups to enrich the product designs. Over a 3-year period, a collection of approximately 25 case studies is being prepared. This article describes the research envisioned as innovative product designs are created, both egarding applications of new technologies, and product design evolution/evaluation; and in advancing strategies for teaching product design. The anticipated use of these case studies in departments worldwide for design courses taught by similar technology experts, just a few in... [more]

We present an overview of the current state-of-the-art of the field of chemical process and product synthesis and design. In this talk, we outline some of the most interesting new challenges and directions for the field, including: new pushes for including renewable energy into chemical systems, related issues with energy storage, the move toward flexible and unsteady-state chemical processes, the considerations of uncertainty into the design process, new advances in specialty processes, process intensification, modularization, and more. Also, we announce and present the PSE Technology Tree Wiki, a community-based encyclopedia for the PSE community that organizes concepts into a technology tree. We also announce and present LAPSE: the Living Archive for Process Systems Engineering, a new open-data / open-access repository for the PSE community, which contains unique and innovative features designed to foster better dissemination of research, easy access to open models and simulations,... [more]