Environmental performance assessment for reactive distillation processes

Direct or indirect CO2 emission minimisation for energy intensive processes is a priority for reducing their environmental impact. For distillation this issue is observed redesigning the separation processes to improve the energy efficiency. Sustainability requests as well to enhance the usage of environmentally friendly products and to ensure good economic effectiveness. In this paper a new methodology is suggested for assessing environmental performance and economic viability of reactive distillation compared to classical schemes. Advanced process integration methodologies are used to save energy. Reactive distillation combines process integration and process intensification overcoming chemical equilibrium limitations, saving energy and ensuring economic effectiveness by reduced capital investment. Environmental performance is based on potential environmental impact (PEI), emissions, resource and energy conservation factors. PEI is obtained using waste reduction (WAR) algorithm as evaluation tool. Two examples illustrate the methodology comparing the performance of classical processes with reactive distillation synthesis processes (ethyl acetate - EtAc and t-amyl methyl ether - TAME) with the purpose to achieve a better sustainability. In both cases reactive distillation provides more sustainable schemes.