Analysis of TBA‐Based ETBE Production by Means of an Optimization‐Based Process‐Synthesis Approach

Abstract

The current article presents the extension of a recently developed optimization‐based approach to process synthesis for process intensification. It generates phenomena‐based flowsheet options using superstructure optimization and provides a dedicated translation into equipment‐based flowsheets. The considered case‐study illustrates the application of the method for the analysis of ethyl tert‐butyl ether production, based on the conversion of tert‐butyl alcohol, under consideration of variable configurations of a rector network and a newly introduced pervaporation‐based membrane‐reactor block.