Multi-objective assessment of heat pump-assisted ethyl acetate production

Abstract

Multi-objective (energy–economic–safety) assessment of ethyl acetate production involving a heat pump is presented in this paper. The heat pump is designed to intensify ethyl acetate separation and to reduce the total operating cost. Two ethyl acetate production pathways are upgraded using a heat pump, conventional process and reactive distillation column with a separation unit. Detailed process models including the heat pump environment have been compiled and optimized in the Aspen Plus software. Both benefits and drawbacks of including the heat pump in the processes are evaluated using three different points of view: process energy, economics, and safety. As a result, using a heat pump is highly recommended in both conventional process and reactive distillation column with a separation unit. As a higher level of process integration is achieved using a heat pump, economic aspects are improved; however, safety aspects deteriorate. The final decision on the suitability of using a heat pump depends on whether it is proposed for an existing plant, or a completely new plant is designed. In a new plant, the concept of a thermally coupled process (reactive distillation column with a stripper column) has been proven to be the most promising.